This old school was built in 1872 to replace the original one in the hollow on Middle Country Road, opposite the New York State Game Farm. One-half acre of land was donated by William Sidney Smith for the erecting of this building, about 24’ x 24’ in size. In the center of the room was a large, black iron stove used for heating. This stove was later replaced by an oil burner whose tank had to be filled with fuel stored in the outside shed. On Sundays the building was used for services by the Middle Island Presbyterian Church. It was closed in 1951 when a new building was erected on a 17 acre tract of land, donated by the State Game Farm. In 1999, the schoolhouse was saved from destruction when the Ridge Civic Association had the building moved to the Longwood Estate.
Old Ridge photos courtesy of Barbara Martz and Longwoods Journey.
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