Little White Schoolhouse
Encyclopedia
The Republican Schoolhouse, also known as Little White Schoolhouse or Birthplace of the Republican Party, in Ripon, Wisconsin
is a National Historic Landmark
. Now located at the southeast corner of Blackburn and Blossom Streets in Ripon, it has been moved several times.
The town quickly outgrew the small building, and built a larger brick building to replace it. The old building was sold to Wisconsin governor George Peck, for use as a home.
By the early twentieth century, it had fallen into disuse, and was in danger of being demolished. Due to its historical significance, effort was put into saving the building and marketing it (see Preservation).
, and the opposition was split among several smaller parties, including the Whig Party, the Free Soil Party
, and some internal Democratic Party splintering. In Ripon, Bovay, who had gotten the schoolhouse built, lead the opposition, and canvassed support among opposition members of all the local parties. He called a meeting on March 20. The Whig and Free Soil parties dissolved themselves in favor of forming a new, united party to be called "Republican," with some Democrats also defecting from their local party branch to join the new party. With publicity from the New York Tribune
, word of the party spread, other local chapters and state-level parties started forming by July or earlier, and a national party was formed by 1856.
Local civic and historical organizations, considering its local and national historical significance, raised funds to save it. The building was refurbished, and moved to the campus of of Ripon College
. Later, it was moved twice more to other locations on campus.
Its fourth and final move, in 1951, was to its present location.
Twenty-two years later, it was recognized it as an historic site by the United States National Park Service
, which declared it a National Historic Landmark
in 1974.
Ripon, Wisconsin
Ripon is a city in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,828. The City of Ripon's official website claims the city's current population to be 7,701. The city is surrounded by the Town of Ripon....
is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. Now located at the southeast corner of Blackburn and Blossom Streets in Ripon, it has been moved several times.
Construction
The structure was built in its original location in 1853 as a school building for the young town of Ripon, Wisconsin. It was championed as part of a wider education initiative by a New York transplant, Alvan Bovay. Bovay used his position in founding the school to further involve himself in politics, becoming a founder of the Republican Party, which formed during a meeting at the schoolhouse (see Politics).The town quickly outgrew the small building, and built a larger brick building to replace it. The old building was sold to Wisconsin governor George Peck, for use as a home.
By the early twentieth century, it had fallen into disuse, and was in danger of being demolished. Due to its historical significance, effort was put into saving the building and marketing it (see Preservation).
Politics
In 1854, opposition grew to the proposed Kansas-Nebraska Bill. The bill was championed by the dominant Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, and the opposition was split among several smaller parties, including the Whig Party, the Free Soil Party
Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States active in the 1848 and 1852 presidential elections, and in some state elections. It was a third party and a single-issue party that largely appealed to and drew its greatest strength from New York State. The party leadership...
, and some internal Democratic Party splintering. In Ripon, Bovay, who had gotten the schoolhouse built, lead the opposition, and canvassed support among opposition members of all the local parties. He called a meeting on March 20. The Whig and Free Soil parties dissolved themselves in favor of forming a new, united party to be called "Republican," with some Democrats also defecting from their local party branch to join the new party. With publicity from the New York Tribune
New York Tribune
The New York Tribune was an American newspaper, first established by Horace Greeley in 1841, which was long considered one of the leading newspapers in the United States...
, word of the party spread, other local chapters and state-level parties started forming by July or earlier, and a national party was formed by 1856.
Preservation
By the early twentieth century, it had fallen into disuse, and was in danger of being demolished.Local civic and historical organizations, considering its local and national historical significance, raised funds to save it. The building was refurbished, and moved to the campus of of Ripon College
Ripon College (Wisconsin)
Ripon College is a liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin, USA. It offers small class sizes and intensive mentoring to students. Ripon has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa--one of the nation's most prestigious honor societies. Alumni have high rates of success in the workforce as well as acceptance...
. Later, it was moved twice more to other locations on campus.
Its fourth and final move, in 1951, was to its present location.
Twenty-two years later, it was recognized it as an historic site by the United States National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, which declared it a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1974.
External links
- Official site
- Republican Schoolhouse: 1 photo, 2 drawings, and 3 data pages, at Historic American Building Survey