| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| gr8tfulmom |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 1:43:12 PM
Dh and I put in a very lowball offer on an old school, with the provision we would keep a portion for community use of some sort. Our offer was accepted and now we own a school. Long story short, dh's business (which is kitty-corner from the school) has sucked in way more time and $ than we had originally planned and left us (mostly me) with little to no time to do anything but immediate things (the roofs!), and no extra $ to put in, coupled with the fact that that my partner and best friend got a job on the other side of the state and has no time to devote right now either.
The current plan is to empty the plumbing and shut it down for the winter (there is no insulation in the original building), get our plan together and go great guns in the spring.
It is in relatively good shape and I can see many things being an asset to the small village its in. That's where I'm open to suggestions. I would like a small sewing shop, but don't think the area would support it long term, a second hand store, bakery, restaurant and on and on. It is just a neat old building and could be so many things. Check out this original folding wood wall
There is 12,000+ sq feet to deal with. 4 classrooms in the main building plus an office and a separate 1990 gymnatorium/lunchroom building behind
more pics can be seen here http://theoldgrandjunctionschoolbuilding.blogspot.com/
I would love to hear any and all ideas you all have 
Sarah
http://symbioticstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| barnagainkristin |
Posted - Oct 26 2010 : 6:26:01 PM
Congratulations! I love historic buildings. A historic mill was purchased in my community and turned into a village of different type shops. Check out Gardner Historic Village if you can find anything on it. It is a huge success and maybe you could have a mini village inside your school with things like a candy shop, yarn shop, furniture, etc. Let us know when you get whatever you do going and best wishes.
barnagainkristin
(my user name came from our family removing and rebuilding a historic barn in my community that was the oldest around and going to be torn down)
"Others Before Self" |
| gr8tfulmom |
Posted - Sep 22 2010 : 06:25:56 AM
Just a little update:
We have gotten our zoning established as commercial, finally! I have been working with a super handy guy on maintenance and plumbing. The roofs were fixed and electrical is now up to code. For the last month my friends and I have had a sale & free book give away on the weekends, almost half of the text & reading books the school just left are now being used again! Bonus. Tons of connections have been made in the community and we are now getting ready to start brickwork/lintels & sills on 8 *very* large windows. We are getting closer to the fun part, which is going in the direction of a non-profit all-arts center. Thanks for your interest farmgirls :)
Farmgirl sister #779
http://symbioticstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| Ms_Ed |
Posted - Apr 21 2010 : 06:11:24 AM
I'm reading about your town blogs and thinking... you could not make that up. Life is stranger than fiction... and better than TV shows... It's too bad you have a stake in their antics.
Edwina Shannon
Live, love, learn, think, give, laugh, try |
| OneCraftyBugger |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 6:07:13 PM
I would love to make one into a cooking school, and of course I would paint it red... the little red school of cooking would be a good name. You could have guest come in from diffrent regions in the errea or ethnic backgrounds and do classes based on what their specialty is. Or I would turn it the The Littlen Red school for the studies or arts and crafts. And once again have individuals who specialize in diffrent mediums to teach classes. Rug brading, felting, or even arts in crafts through out history and do a series of classes based on diffrent time lines through out history or once again diffrent regions. Ok enough about what I would do..
I dont have a school house! LOL
Oh happy day!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFeltedGnome
http://bellasaysitsso.blogspot.com/
http://theswappingcrafter.blogspot.com/ |
| karla |
Posted - Apr 09 2010 : 1:23:08 PM
OOOOH! I think it's wonderful. I live in an old schoolhouse! It has been added onto so many times ( from previous owner) that it doesn't really even resemble one! But how fun! I like the coffe shop /gift shop idea!Maybe you could include a small sewing fabric section?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. |
| patchworkpeace |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 4:13:06 PM
What a wonderful project. It would be great if some of the local history could be included in your end result.
We were recently up in Traverse City and dined at an old tavern on the Mission Peninsula. The food was excellent, but the unique part was it was a combination of local art gallery/restaurant/tavern. It got plenty of business even though you had to drive most of the way up the peninsula to get there and it was in the middle of nowhere. Maybe something like that with a South Haven flavor. You have a nice beach and lighthouse there, maybe that can be part of the South Haven "flavor". What ever you decide, though, I'm sure it will be beautiful. Good luck.
Judy
farm sister 932
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
| gr8tfulmom |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 3:10:15 PM
Thanks Julie & Brenda. I have never seen anything like this township's governing. Three members of the board are going to trial for violating residents due process, 2 members of the planning commission have restraining orders against each other for an altercation between them which also resulted in weapons violation charges - i.e. they got drunk and tried to shoot each other! It makes getting anything done on the planning commission a bit difficult if the board can't all be in the same building - oye! This winter I watched a 75 year old man almost get carted off to jail for being out of order, sure isn't boring ;)
I did check with a structural moving company to see if it could be moved to our front field (in a sane twp!), but the $ was so out of the ballpark that we are just going to keep slogging through in nutter-ville until we get our zoning.
sarah
Farmgirl sister #779
http://symbioticstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| ClaireSky |
Posted - Apr 04 2010 : 06:08:31 AM
Sarah.. I wish you all the best with your schoolhouse. Your community must see what an opportunity and boost to the economy this could be for them. I am confident that the zoning will go through in May and everything will fall into place. God Bless!
Julie
Farmgirl Sister #399
West-Central WI Farmgirls
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog...Charles F. Doran |
| classygram |
Posted - Feb 25 2010 : 09:05:30 AM
How about starting an area for craft booths or odd's and in's, and also a coffee shop. Where everyone can come to chat, have coffee and shop a little. Then as more start coming in regular ideas will be mentioned about the need for the community and something could blossom from there. Just an idea! Also, congratulations on getting the building. I have always wanted to have a coffee, tea shop and book store. Have fun with all the options.
Brenda
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony" Mahatma Gandhi |
| gr8tfulmom |
Posted - Feb 22 2010 : 5:35:51 PM
I wanted to give you all a boring little update of the goings on. We (well I) have been trying in vain to get this school building zoned...it is zoned residential and I was assured by the township super that it wouldn't be a problem to get it to commercial as the board had been working on business district zoning prior to my involvement there. He gave me a date a couple months away - that was in MAY! Since then I've figured out that this is one cantankerous area about zoning and there were active fights/arguments between many players before I even set foot on the field. I've been playing by the rules and as the schedule of our new 'zoning overlay district' goes we can expect to be allowed to apply for a special use permit (which was what I wanted to do off the get-go last summer) and then get our zoning.....ugh the wheels turn slowly. So until we can actually get zoned, not much is going on.
Kim thank you for the leads to check out! Many of the things you mentioned have been churning and that is definitely the path we are headed down.
Claude, how cool and I'll look up Victoria's Gallery, right up my alley! Unless of course this zoning thing drags out - then I may have to open a big ol gun store, heh hehe, (just kidding..sorta)
Farmgirl sister #779
http://symbioticstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| Claude09647 |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 9:40:19 PM
I just found this thread and i have to say i read every word of it! I think the possibilities are limitless. In reading this, it made me think of something that we have in our little town. Also like your town, mine is in financial hardships and a depressed area so we at least have that in common. Now, some about this place i know. Its called Victoria's Gallery after the lady that purchased the building, (I would say 10,000 sq ft) a few years ago. The building was originally built in the early 1900's. In one of the WW's it was turned into a sewing factory because all of the men got drafted. I believe it was some type of metal factory before that. The sewing factory went out of business in the 60's, the building sat for about 30 years then a lady purchased it, gutted it because nothing in it was worth saving, and made the floor plan wide open. Now, heres where i though of you... she turned it into an antique gallery where as whomever wanted to come in and sell their goods could do so. Its only open on Saturday and Sunday and sometimes in the one corner i remember a lady used to teach stained glass once a week. I don't know if she still does it anymore. I can remember there is usually a class set up at least once a week there and they are teaching some form of an art. Also, with your kitchen idea.... They took a section out and boxed it in and they use that as a kitchen that runs saturday and sunday. A local church runs it and this way she didnt have to bother about the kitchen. The church serves everything home made and its really good too! Its a very old building that basically runs it self for the most part.
Just thought i would share that idea!
I hope all is going well because those pictures are wonderful! I loved the entrance!
http://claude09647.blogspot.com/
Check out my ETSY store too! I'm loving it!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Claudiascraftshop |
| CraftyPatty |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 6:17:26 PM
I LOVE that you could buy that old school! I was thinking breakfast and lunch comfort foods, coffee, tea, and desserts all day. All day different groups could meet, both clubs and educational. For instance, sewing, knitting, needle arts, crafts, cooking, gardening, musical, book clubs, etc. One area coud be the child-care area for children whose parents are involved in groups. Also, does your village have a library? That would be great in an old school house, too! Good Luck! Patty
Bloomin' where I'm planted. |
| missgive |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 10:10:49 AM
Sarah,
Forgot to mention - check out Immaculate Baking Company (I think that is the name) as they give out grants to people who want to preserve the folk arts and artists in general. Cool company -
Also, there are grants out their for "community redevelopment" - check them out - you may qualify.
Hugs,
Kim
Kim (aka missgive)
Proud Farmgirl Sister #927
A Farmgirl Sister headed for my mountain home and farm in 2010. |
| missgive |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 10:03:03 AM
Sarah,
The suggestions about the art school idea could be expanded in a couple of interesting ways. First, I would offer the left over school materials for sale to home-schoolers - you could do that on-line or in person or both.
Second, you might be able to turn one room into a pre-school program/day-care for those who work outside their homes (this could be useful to artists who rent studio space from you to use while they work (see later)). You could start it as a "Mom's Day Out" program - 1/2 days 1-2 days a week for a nominal charge. You can expand it to summer/holiday camp opportunities as you go along, since you have the space.
The big idea would eb to have the arts, maybe dance and music classes as well as a program like MJ has with the Pay Dirt School classes - farming, organics, cooking and baking,crafts etc. It becomes a destination for vacationers (Check out the John C. Campbell Folk Art School in Brasstown, North Carolina) and you can start with one area of the school and expand into the others. Campbell has a dining room where students who take a class in baking or cooking can help prepare the meals for the other students - it is part of their fees for the weekend classes, etc.
Looking at the photos, you might be able to even create a few of the platform tents for a B & B on the property and make them available late spring through early fall for visitors.
These are all long range plans and sound huge, but if you have athe vision you can chose the starting place. The teachers fr your prograsm can come from the community and use the skills they have - quilting, sewing, art, baking, gardening, etc. They get paid from the students' fees. Materials can be ordered as needed for specific classes.
As for the community piece (although the idea allows your community to earn incomes) I would set up for free community dances once a month (except in winter), shows of the artisans wares, and if you add dance and music classes (square dancing, and traditional instrument lessone) allow free community performances. Folks might like to rent the stage area room for wedding receptions. Blairsville converted the old Courthouse downtown and they have weekly concerts throughtout the summer and fall of Bluegrass music and the old junior high became a community center and they have square dances there. Politicians might use the stage for debates. You could even hold coffee-houses where people could perform for free and you sell coffee and desserts for a fee. Get the people interested in the "goings on" there....
Can't wait to see what you come up with!
Hugs
Kim (aka missgive)
Proud Farmgirl Sister #927
A Farmgirl Sister headed for my mountain home and farm in 2010. |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 07:05:03 AM
Whatever my heart desires....!(if money were limitless)..LOL!
Farmgirl Sister #368
~~~**Terri**~~~
http://thecontentedwoman.blogspot.com
Also..... http://frocksfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com |
| Perennial |
Posted - Jan 08 2010 : 8:48:08 PM
Great pics. They turned a similar building that used to be the highschool from way back into a sewing store - it has rooms and rooms filled with different types of fabric - people come from afar to browse. Good luck with your endeavor. |
| Ms_Ed |
Posted - Dec 08 2009 : 10:22:09 PM
I was once recruited to be part of a cultural project for the next town. Their historical commission had converted their 1 room schoolhouse to a community classroom. Day and evening courses were offered in knitting, pencil drawing, maybe a second language. I taught calligraphy. It was an awesome experience
Edwina Shannon
Live, love, learn, think, give, laugh, try |
| gr8tfulmom |
Posted - Nov 13 2009 : 05:25:21 AM
Thanks Bonnie and Tina.
I've been looking into Rural Community Development Grants. We either need to form a 501c3 non-profit or just donate space to anyone in the area that wants to do the same, before we can get much farther down that avenue. The documentation on the school is really, really spotty. The districts changed and lots of stuff was lost in the shuffle so going for historical preservation grants would be tricky. Art grants may be the way to go, but I didn't see all that many that fit our qualifications. All of them are still open to exploration though
Thanks for the ideas
Sarah
Farmgirl sister #779
http://symbioticstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| doglady |
Posted - Nov 09 2009 : 12:01:52 PM
How about quilting or sewing retreats. You might be able to get together with a local B & B and do just 2 day retreats. Just a thought. You can always sell fabric at a later date.
Tina
You can tell your dog all of your secrets and they'll never say a word!
www.kennelcreations.com |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Nov 08 2009 : 7:33:49 PM
Have you looked into Federal funding for a government approved art school. There should be grants available. Check it out. Don't give up the dream.
Bonnie
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| gr8tfulmom |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 4:05:48 PM
Thanks for the thoughts Bonnie. I have checked out the GR MN school online, it is very cool. I wish the area would support a B &B or cooking school, but it is in a pretty rural and financially depressed area, and we are a bit far from the big Lake to draw the big summer crowd, but we do have a bunch of inland lake summer folks in the area. I'm kind of worried that it will only make it seasonally, but with the right mix of services and products I'm hoping it could translate into an online presence too. I just want to be able to keep it self sufficient so dh (who runs all of our money) isn't having to take care of one of my crazy adventures!
Thanks again for your thoughts all!
http://symbioticstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Oct 27 2009 : 7:52:10 PM
Winter nights are great for dreaming. Where is this school house. Would it draw surrounding people for learning? Would it support a B and B. or a cooking school. In Grand Rapids, Minnesota they took the old school and turned it into many things. Maybe they could help give you some ideas. I can see a tearoom, a restaurant called the kindergarten, a quilt store, farmers market, babyland, general store.
Bonnie
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Oct 27 2009 : 04:36:39 AM
Sarah, I don't think she does, but I'll find out.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| gr8tfulmom |
Posted - Oct 26 2009 : 6:33:51 PM
Hey there Lorna, the school is in Grand Junction Michigan, so a bit of a drive from NE ;) I really wish I would see/hear/feel/smell something, I'm as open as I can be and have seen nothing, though there are some folks in the village who swear that he still lives there.
Gena, would your friend have a website by chance? I love seeing projects along these lines.
http://symbioticstitches.blogspot.com/ |
| knit1tat2 |
Posted - Oct 26 2009 : 3:46:05 PM
Hi, I see this is in Grand Island, is that in Nebraska?(a nice drive from where I live).
I've see doing something like that too, only using a local house for a store. Upstairs would be apartment, the downstairs would be a shop/studio/coffee/tea bar.
If you are in NE, please email me personally if you can, or let me know, and we'll have a long chat! Lorna Jean
(ps, I can do something about that haunting too!)
we create our own economy |
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