District #5 Schoolhouse Renovation Fundraising Progress

The Dollar-for-Dollar Match Opportunity Offered in May 2026 Has Now Ended.

About the District # 5 Schoolhouse

Step inside the District #5 Schoolhouse in East Washington, and you are instantly transported back to the 19th century—where children once practiced their lessons with quill pens and ink, and the daily rhythm of rural education unfolded within a single room.

Now, the Washington NH Historical Society (WNHHS) is working to ensure that this rare piece of local history endures for generations to come.

Opened in 1849 and used through 1937, the District #5 Schoolhouse is the last surviving example of Washington’s ten original 19th-century district schoolhouses still standing in its original form. Operated by the WNHHS since the 1990s, it continues to serve as both a museum and an active educational site, connecting today’s visitors—especially young students—with the town’s rich past.

Inside, the past remains remarkably close at hand. Visitors can sit at wood and iron desks installed in 1893 and practice writing with quill pens and inkwells, just as students did more than a century ago. Maps depicting countries long since changed or vanished still hang on the walls, while slate blackboards and period textbooks offer a glimpse into daily lessons of the era. Even the schoolhouse clock, a gift from teachers and students in 1887, continues to watch over the room.

About the Current Renovation Project and Fundraising Drive

Preserving this unique historic resource requires urgent attention. The Society has launched a multi-phase project to restore the exterior of the building, including the careful renovation of its original six-over-nine windows, replacement of aging siding and trim, and final staining to protect the structure from the elements. The local craftsmen doing the work are Chris Troian of CJT Carpentry, Acworth NH (siding and trim) and Ed Whiting of EKW Painting and Texture, Hillsborough NH (windows and staining). Window restoration is already underway.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $60,000. Approximately half of that amount has already been secured through the Society’s maintenance fund and a generous $10,000 Responsive Grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, made possible by the Charles A. Watson Jr. Fund for Historic Preservation.

Possible Tax Benefits from Your Donation

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the WNHHS notes that donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Recent IRS rule changes may also allow some level of deduction for those who do not itemize; donors are encouraged to consult their tax advisor for details.

Community members are invited to be part of this effort to preserve a tangible link to New Hampshire’s past.

Contributions can be made by:

Mail to:

Washington NH Historical Society

P.O. Box 90

Washington, NH 03280

Online through this Site:

Using PayPal or Credit Card by Clicking Here

Every gift, no matter the size, helps bring the project closer to completion!