As part of the Adopt-A-House Program, BNHV and the Amherst Women's Interclub Council celebrate updates made to the historic schoolhouse!
BNHV is proud to unveil its latest development campaign, the Adopt-a-House Program. Yesterday, members of the staff and the Amherst Women’s Interclub Council unveiled the many updates that were made to the Sweet Home Schoolhouse. These updates were made with funds raised by the Amherst Women’s Interclub Council’s annual fundraising luncheon and raffle. This year’s fundraising event was the Kentucky Derby Hat Show and Luncheon held on May 3rd, 2014. The council managed to raise over $3,000 in support of the Sweet Home Schoolhouse. The council is made up of representatives from Amherst-based organizations including BNHV.
The Sweet Home Schoolhouse was originally built in 1847 and was located on Sweet Home Road, just south of the Tonawanda Creek. The school included a coal stove and outhouse. The school originally had 22 pupils. After the school was closed in 1948, it sat abandoned and derelict until it was removed to its present location in the 1970s. Since then, many updates have been made to stabilize the structure and preserve its original appearance. With money raised by the Amherst Women’s Interclub Council, BNHV staff was able to interpret the structure with many updates including an 1848-appropriate American Flag and pole, life-size cut-outs of a 19th century teacher and students, new signage and labels, a larger visitation gate on the interior, and even sensory experience elements such as recordings, music and sounds that would have been heard in a 19th century Buffalo-Niagara schoolhouse. Make sure to stop by during some of our upcoming fall and winter events to check out these updates!
In an effort to become a self-sustaining museum, BNHV is launching a number of development opportunities including the Adopt-a-House Program. With the first historic building now adopted, 10 other historic structures stand in wait of an available sponsor who can assist the museum in the restoration, preservation and interpretation of each building. Sponsorships are also available for the many public buildings, exhibits, educational programs and festivals the organization offers each year. If your company or organization is interested in helping this regional tourism and educational asset, feel free to contact Spencer Morgan, Director of Development & Marketing at 716-689-1440, or at [email protected].