For history buffs/history teachers/Masonic Lodge members who would like to visit or book a tour of this historical building here is a brief history of this beautiful old school.
Historic New Washington Normal School
History from 1894-2002
Built in 1894 by Robert Plasket restored in 2000 by Marvin and Beverly Maxwell. All 12 grades were taught here, 1-8 on the first floor and 9-12 on the second floor. The third floor was occupied by the Masonic Lodge whose members paid $400 to add that floor when the school was built (from the New Washington History Book). School actually began in 1898-1899. The high school became certified in 1909 and graduated its first class. The last graduating class was in 1926, when a new school was built. The Masons bought the building then and started remodeling the second floor for a meeting room. This work was completed in 1930 and the third floor was closed off and remained so until Dec. 2000. The Ella Fisher Chapter of the Eastern Star also occupied the building and helped the Masons during the years they owned the old school.
According to the New Washington Courier in 1928 the first floor was a movie theater. During the restoration while cleaning the old projection room, which still houses the original projectors, it was discovered that it was run as a theater through 1951 by old receipts that were found.
The original floors were replaced on the first floor because during the movie years all the windows were boarded up and the first floor was raised on one end to create a theater setting. All the windows were intact and have the original fish-eye glass, probably because the Masons had boarded up all the windows years back and saved them. The brick walls are 4 bricks thick over the entire building. In the first floor banquet room, the paneling was removed to expose the original plastered walls. Some of the plaster came off and the exposed brick was left to show the original structure of the building.
Upon inspection of the cast iron bell in the bell tower, it was discovered it was built by the C.S. Bell Co. in Hillsboro, OH. From the internet it was learned that bells were delivered by wagon and a team of horses. The bell is still in operation.
The school is now operated as A Step Back Banquet Hall.
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