Malletts Bay in Colchester in Chittenden County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Colchester Log Schoolhouse

Photographed by Alexander Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2015

1. Colchester Log Schoolhouse Marker

Inscription. In 1810, Vermont State Law required towns to raise a minimum of 1 cent on the dollar in property taxes for support of town schools. The one room schoolhouse before you was built between 1815 and 1827 to serve students on the area once known as South Beach or District #4. Attendence varied based on the season and for example would drop during planting or harvesting time as children were needed to help on the family farm. In 1833 there were 41 pupils between the ages of 4 and 18 enrolled in this school. Older children often assisted the younger ones with their lessons so the teacher could work with other students. The subjects taught were arithmetic, spelling, reading, penmanship, geography and English.

Over time the State of Vermont took a more active role in both regulating and promoting education. In 1845 state law mandated that teachers be certified. In 1864, children between the ages of 8 and 14 were required to attend school for at least 3 months and local school taxes were removed creating a free public school system. A textbook law was established in 1894 and ten years later that State set standards for ventilation,

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sanitation and lighting. In 1911 water coolers were purchased for schools to replace the common water bucket and dipper. This schoolhouse was closed in 1928 in favor of the "new" Malletts Bay Schol as the existing building could no longer meet state standards.

Teacher Elsie Gray stands next to the flagpole at School #4, circa 1927. Courtesy of Dawn Hazelett and the Colchester Historical Society
As shown on the map from 1869, a dispersed population required the establishment of fouteen school districts within the town. District #4's schoolhouse was formerly located on Lakeshore Drive, just east of its intersection with Prim Road.

In 2000, John R. and Angela MacDonald deeded the school to the Colchester Historical Society. Through the efforts of the Society the school was moved more than four miles here to Airport Park.
Children in costume for an "Alice in Wonderland" production at the "New" Malletts Bay School, circa 1930s.

Erected by Lake Champlain Basin Program, Lake Champlain Byway, Chittenden County, Town of Colchester, Federal Highway Administration.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 44° 32.602′ N,

Photographed by Alexander Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2015

2. Colchester Log Schoolhouse & Marker

Marker is by the window. Parking lot at right.

73° 16.808′ W. Marker is in Colchester, Vermont, in Chittenden County. It is in Malletts Bay. It is at the intersection of Colchester Point Road and Buckingham Drive, on the right when traveling west on Colchester Point Road. Marker is at Airport Park. (There is no airport.). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colchester VT 05446, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Champlain Valley

and in Greater Burlington.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Vermont Republic.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Colchester Causeway / Le remblai de Colchester (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ethan Allen Park - Wilderness in the City (approx. 3.3 miles away); Ethan Allen (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Black Snake Affair (approx. 3.6 miles away); Pate-King House / Guidebooks for Black Americans

Photographed by Alexander Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2015

3. Eastward

The path is "Island Line Trail"

(approx. 5.2 miles away); Electric Power Generation in Burlington (approx. 5.2 miles away); Trees for the 21st Century (approx. 5.2 miles away); Champlain Glass Company (approx. 5.2 miles away).

Photographed by Alexander Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2015

4. Westward

Photographed by Alexander Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2015

5. Colchester Log Schoolhouse & Marker

Photographed by Alexander Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2015

6. Colchester Log Schoolhouse & Marker

Interior of Schoolhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alexander Schwarzmueller, July 3, 2022

7. Interior of Schoolhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 889 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 18, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 7. submitted on July 5, 2022, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.