As the years passed, residents began to enjoy greater conveniences and comforts in their homes, thus it was thought that schools should have better conditions, also. With improvements in roads and transportation, the 1941 directive to the Harwinton School Board was to replace the one-room schools with a central consolidated school. In 1945 residents voted to purchase land at the intersection of Scoville Hill and Litchfield Roads. After the land was purchased, it was found through seepage tests that there might be problems with waste disposal. After several town meetings and lively discussions about location, it was voted to sell the Scoville Hill property and buy the property on Litchfield Road where the elementary school is now located. An eight-room school was opened in September 1948 consolidating all of Harwinton’s one-room schools into this one location, Harwinton Consolidated School. All of the one-room schools except First District School were disposed of by the town (e.g. sold for houses, torn down). The fate of Center School was unknown until HHS came to the rescue!
In 1972 the building that once housed First District School students was moved to its current location on Regional School District 10 property (115 Litchfield Road) and restored to its original 1840 design by HHS the following year. Many thanks to Harwinton Lions Club for generously supporting the moving expenses.
Today First District School houses many interesting exhibits showcasing Harwinton’s early education. This historical gem is open to visitors at scheduled times during the spring, summer and fall. See “Events” on this website for times or contact Harwinton Historical Society (harwhistsoc@gmail.com) for an appointment.
