Putterham School, Historic single-room school building in Larz Anderson Park, Brookline, United States.
Putterham School is a wooden school building from colonial times, now located in Larz Anderson Park in Brookline. The small single-room structure displays original 18th century features and was designed to hold students of all ages learning together in one space.
The building was built in 1768 at the corner of Grove and Newton Streets and served as a school for many generations before being moved to the park in 1966. This relocation saved the old structure from demolition and made it accessible to the public.
The building shows how New England children learned in the past, with preserved furniture and teaching tools that reveal the daily school experience. Walking through the single room gives a direct sense of how closely students sat together and what simple materials teachers had available.
Access to the building is usually seasonal, so check before planning a visit to see when it is open. The structure is small and compact, so a brief visit allows you to see everything displayed inside without needing much time.
During restoration work, builders found a lesson written on the chalkboard by teacher Mary Elizabeth Hyde from 1897, hidden under the flooring. This handwritten piece is now protected under glass and remains one of the most touching artifacts in the building.
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