LOWER LAKE — History came to life Saturday at the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum. “Living History Day” provided an opportunity for an interactive lesson in area history.
Hands-on exhibits and demonstrations of Victorian era household items, historical displays and hosts dressed in period costumes were featured. Guests were also entertained with a reading from the 1868 diary of Lucas Wiley by Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee (LLHSPC) President Tom McFarling. Wiley served as Justice of the Peace in Lower Lake.
Marilyn Miller, of Clearlake, said she gained insight to many area facts that she was previously unaware of. “The fight between the south county and Lakeport for the county seed; the reading of the diary,” she said, “It was all so interesting. They really put a lot of time and thought into this. It”s just great.”
McFarling and volunteer Larry Martinelli demonstrated use of old tools in the courtyard during the event. Guests had an opportunity to check out the tools, which include a bucksaw, rope-making contraption and an old fashion hand drill. “We really try to make this event as interesting as we can,” Martinelli said. “One thing that I think is interesting we show everyone all the old tools they used to use.”
McFarling brought attention to a new addition to the Lower Lake Historical Schoolhouse Museum grounds ? an 8-foot-wide portion of a tree that fell nearly 60 years ago. McFarling said when “El Roble Grande” fell on El Roble Grande Ranch, located off Highway 29 between Lower Lake and Middletown, in 1952 it was the largest oak tree in Northern California. The tree was estimated to be at least 334-years-old when it fell.
Displays inside the museum are rich with history. The museum hosts a myriad of items such as old photographs, some depicting the first settlers of the area; rustic household items that made the lives of early settlers a bit easier; historic fashions, Indian artifacts, a restored schoolroom and Victorian parlor complete with a working player piano.
The preservation committee formed in 1986 for the purpose of preserving and restoring the schoolhouse, which was built in 1876. It served as a two-room schoolhouse until 1935. According to the preservation committee, during the time that classes were held, there was no electricity or running water.
The schoolhouse bell tower was damaged in the earthquake of 1906. Bonds were sold, the bell tower was removed and the roof changed from the straight French roof to the curved Mansard roof in 1907. Restoration of the bell tower was completed 100 years later, in 2007.
The building was sold to the Masonic Lodge after 1935 and sometime during the 1960s the Masons traded the schoolhouse property for a parcel of county property on Highway 53. The building was leased to the Grange for a number of years. According to the preservation society, little maintenance was done on the building during that time.
The building was slated for demolition until County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox intervened and the committee began preservation work on Jan. 2, 1992.
Formal dedication of the first floor was held on Oct. 21, 1993 ? a year after work began. The upper floor became the focus for restoration. An outside stairwell was needed first, which was fabricated in Lower Lake at the Clearlake Machine Shop and installed in January 1994. Work began in the upstairs auditorium. The plan included providing the town with a community room complete with a stage. The auditorium now serves as venue for art shows, music, plays and large meetings. It is named in honor of Jane and John Weaver as Weaver Auditorium.
The preservation committee is planning for its upcoming “Treasurers and Trash” fundraiser held on May 7 at the museum. Donations are accepted during regular museum hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information call 995-3565.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
