Sandy Pond School Association Announces Publication of The Sandy Pond Crier
The Sandy Pond School Association is pleased to announce the launch of the first electronic newsletter dedicated to coverage of Ayer’s historic Sandy Pond Schoolhouse. Volume 1, Issue 1 of The Sandy Pond Crier includes material on the history of Sandy Pond Schoolhouse and the Association, historic and contemporary photographs, a fascinating memoir from a former student, and a discussion of plans for the preservation and restoration of this iconic Ayer landmark. This new free, electronic newsletter will be published quarterly, with Issue 2 scheduled for January 2019.
Irving Rockwood, President of the Sandy Pond School Association, observed that “With its 150th birthday rapidly approaching, and the first phase of a planned restoration and preservation project now underway, we are seeing steadily increasing interest in our historic little schoolhouse. We believe the time is ripe for a newsletter that will meet the needs of the fans and followers who are eager to know more about Sandy Pond School. The Sandy Pond Crier is our attempt to meet that need.”
About Sandy Pond Schoolhouse—The historic single room school we know today as Sandy Pond School was originally constructed in 1869 by the Town of Groton as the District #11 School. When Ayer separated from Groton in 1871, it became part of the new Ayer school system. From 1869 through 1906, when it was closed by the Town of Ayer, it served students from the area surrounding the junction of Westford, Sandy Pond, and Willow Roads, which remains its current location. Following its closing as a schoolhouse, it was purchased from the Town in December 1908 by the newly formed Sandy Pond School Association, which has owned and maintained the property ever since. From 1908 well into the 1950’s, it was the site of reunions, and a variety of lively community events including evening dinners and dances and at least one art auction. A registered National Historic Site, Sandy Pond Schoolhouse is Ayer’s oldest public building and the only surviving property from Ayer’s first school system.
About Sandy Pond School Association—Founded in 1908, SPSA has owned, maintained, and preserved Sandy Pond Schoolhouse for the past 110 years. Today, it is actively working to restore the schoolhouse and reopen it to the public on a regular basis. A wholly volunteer group whose members are drawn from the local community, Sandy Pond School Association, is a 501c3 organization.
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Sandy Pond Crier Subscriber Page: to sign up for a free subscription, please visit:
https://mailchi.mp/eafa7277910c/sandypondschoolhouse
For more information, press only:
Irving E. Rockwood
President, Sandy Pond School Association
(203) 767-6470
irvrockwood@gmail.com
For more information on the Sandy Pond School Association: