Fourth Ward School, Second Empire style school museum in Virginia City, United States.
Fourth Ward School is a four-story school building in Second Empire style in Virginia City featuring a mansard roof with large windows and ornate architectural details. The structure stands on South C Street and now serves as a museum where visitors can view original classrooms and school furnishings.
The building was constructed in 1876 during Nevada's mining boom and taught students through the early 1900s until closing in 1936. Operations ended as the town's population shrank due to the decline of mining activity.
The building shows how education worked in the 19th century, with exhibits about historical teaching methods and school life in a mining town. Visitors see actual classroom furniture and teaching materials from that era in their original locations.
The museum displays four floors of authentic classrooms that are accessible to walk through without special equipment. Visitors should plan time to explore all levels to see the various exhibition areas.
Students printed yearbooks and other publications using a working printing press still visible in the building. This hands-on skill was part of the practical education and shows how diverse school training was at that time.
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