When the Bohannon School was built in 1901, its first occupants could not have known that their school would still be fulfilling its intended role in education over 100 years later. With its inkwells, McGuffey readers, and wood-burning stove resting in the corner, the school is reminiscent of a long ago era when the Golden Rule and the three R's were the mainstays of education.
Originally located in Jasper Township, near Midland, Michigan, the school was brought to the CMU campus in 1970. The Museum of Cultural and Natural History staff and many dedicated friends worked to restore the building to its original state. Donated artifacts helped to make it complete.
Dedicated as the Gerald L. Poor Museum, it now stands as a monument to rural education. The schoolhouse is located on the southwest corner of Preston and West Campus Drive streets. Public parking is available across West Campus Drive.
One-Room School Program includes:
- Schoolhouse lesson (reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic)
- Schoolhouse culture (what else the schoolhouse was used for, pranks, student demographics)
- Recess games and schoolhouse lunch
- Spelling Bee
Contact us by
e-mail or call (989) 774-3829. NOTE: Please schedule at least two (2) weeks in advance to reserve a time slot and avoid conflicting visits. Suggested donations are:
- Tours: $0.50 per student and $1 per adult
- Extended activities: $2 per student
- School Resource Kits: $5 for 3-day loan