Garfield School (Brunswick, New York)

2 School, located in Brunswick, New York, United States, is a two-room schoolhouse built and opened in 1881.

Facing an enlarging student body (or possibly the prodding from the enthusiastic Commissioner Wait), the board of trustees voted on October 14, 1879 to have plans and specifications drawn up for a new schoolhouse.

Reasons cited were for a growing student body and the current schoolhouse being in a "dilapidated condition".

Each of the two classrooms is rectangular; they were originally separated by a sliding wall, which could be moved in the event of a large crowd or gathering.

A vestibule used as a cloakroom juts out from the front about 8 feet (2.4 m); each classroom had its own entrance, which can still be seen in the photo shown above.

Additionally, to avoid the perception of a horizontal, or "squat", building, Pawley also called for a cupola, which still exists today with its original weathervane.

This was added to conform with newly developed health standards, which required sanitary facilities in all public schools by September 1918.

[5] The Garfield School is considered the best-preserved two-room schoolhouse in Rensselaer County and has been used continuously since its opening.

View of the school shortly after completion, c. 1881