National Register of Historic Places

Little Red Schoolhouse

Florham Park, Morris County, New Jersey
Listed
June 5, 1986
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
73001122

About this property

The Little Red Schoolhouse, also known as the Columbia School District No. 5 Schoolhouse, is located at 203 Ridgedale Avenue in the borough of Florham Park in Morris County, New Jersey. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 6, 1986, for its significance in architecture and education. It is now operated as a museum by The Historical Society of Florham Park. Built in 1866, the schoolhouse is a vernacular Italianate one-story narrow red brick masonry building with a steep roof and tall 9/9 windows topped with gently arches. In 1905, it was expanded from four bays to the current six. The open belfry at the front peak with working bell and the gable-end entrance make it instantly identifiable as a typical 19th century one-room schoolhouse. Its location at the historic crossroads of Florham Park has remained a key reminder of the borough's rural origins. The classic schoolhouse is the borough's icon, appearing on the town flag, letterhead, website, and public works and first responder vehicles. In 1978, the schoolhouse was moved back several yards to accommodate the expanded Columbia Turnpike. Part of the museum is set up as a schoolroom from a century ago and mini lectures are offered for small groups of students and Scouts. Exhibits illustrate the development of Florham Park from a rural farming community, to the home of three major estates, and the community's growth into a modern suburb. As a museum it includes artifacts such as broom making equipment, old maps and old school desks, and more from the 1800s and 1900s. National Register of Historic Places listings in Morris County, New Jersey Media related to Little Red Schoolhouse (Florham Park, New Jersey) at Wikimedia Commons "Columbia School District No. 5". The Historical Marker Database.

Location

203 Ridgedale Ave.
Florham Park, Morris County, New Jersey
40.78819, -74.39022

Categories

EDUCATIONARCHITECTURE
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Ford, Samuel, Jr.'s, Hammock Farm
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1 mi
Hancock, Rev. John, House, Cider Mill and Cemetery
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1.1 mi
Hanover Village Historic District
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1.6 mi
First Presbyterian Church of Hanover
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1.6 mi
Cook, Ellis, House
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Nearby Battles

Battle of Connecticut Farms (New Jersey)
1780Revolutionary War
6.8 mi
Battle of Springfield New Jersey
1780Revolutionary War
6.8 mi
Battle of Springfield
1780Revolutionary War
7 mi
Battle of Springfield Jun 23 1780 – Additional detail
1780Revolutionary War
7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Little Red Schoolhouse listed on the National Register?

Little Red Schoolhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 5, 1986.

What type of historic resource is Little Red Schoolhouse?

Little Red Schoolhouse is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Little Red Schoolhouse?

The period of significance for Little Red Schoolhouse is recorded as the industrial era.

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