The historic Burr Oak limestone schoolhouse will be open to the public, Memorial Day from 1 until 3 p.m. Located inside the former schoolhouse in the rooms that once served as classrooms, is the Burr Oak Museum that tells the history of the town and its once many businesses, area churches, clubs and organizations. Also located in the Burr Oak room, are photos of its past, kitchen displays of the past, and many clothing items that were once worn by Burr Oak citizens. WPA project dolls are dressed in period clothing from the earliest years of America on through the years. There is an area dedicated to the veterans of the area. Books and albums that tell the history of many families are for viewing.
Another room in the schoolhouse is dedicated to the history of Burr Oak High School that showcases trophies, sport uniforms and yearbooks, all featured in a remake of a classroom of the past as it may have once looked. Also featured in this room are photos of a famous coach, Adolph Rupp, who came to Burr Oak in 1924, taught at Burr Oak High School and served as the football coach.
The west classroom is where the White Rock High School items, trophies, school jackets and yearbooks are on display. Extra yearbooks are for sale. In the room are also displays of medical items belonged to Dr. Poppen and Dr. Hawley, early day Burr Oak doctors. Dr. Hawley arrived in Burr Oak in 1877, and continued to be one of the town’s boosters establishing a hospital, a drug store and constructing two other business buildings in town. Dr. Hawley went on to serve Jewell County in the state legislature and was selected by the Kansas Governor to serve on the State Board of Health. Later he was elected president of the board. At age of 87, Dr. Hawley was still practicing medicine in Burr Oak. For many years the town honored their doctor with a Dr. Hawley Day that included a parade.
In the second story of the limestone schoolhouse are historical agricultural displays.
There are several Burr Oak history books including a Burr Oak cookbook, plus other books, all are available to purchase.
The native limestone schoolhouse was constructed in 1899. J.C. Holland, Topeka, was the architect and the two story schoolhouse was constructed by J.W. Berry of Jewell, who had constructed several limestone business buildings in Beloit and buildings in the local area. The native limestone rock was hauled by horse drawn wagons from the Randall area. The unique school house served the students for around Burr Oak for 70 years.
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