Text By: Kathy Lambert
The early schools of Strong were called rural or district schools and were situated in various areas of the community to accommodate the children. Schools could be in private homes, in converted sheds or other structures, or built "from scratch." Children walked to school unless the snow was too deep or the temperatures too low. Prospective teachers could begin their training while they were still in high school. Mrs. Arlene Potter said she received 50ยข a week for doing the janitorial work in 1926. The regular salary was $10 to $15 a week. The teacher usually boarded with a family in the area.
Dyer School Building, cr. 1910
Strong Historical Society
- Dist.# 1 - Dyar School was located on the west side of the Sandy River on the road to Farmington. It was situated in the area across from the present Ladd family farm.
- Dist.# 2 - The schoolhouse was situated further north on the road to Farmington near the old Conant place, in the area now known as the south end of Chandler Road.
- Dist.# 3 - McCleary School was on the east side of the Sandy River in the South Strong area at the junction of South Strong and the road now known as Knowlton Road. The building is currently a private seasonal cottage called "Four Maples."
- Dist.# 4 - Kennedy School was situated on the old county road east of the Sandy River in the area now known as Norton Hill at Hunter Road.
- Dist.# 5 - Village School served the children of the village in the schoolhouse that later became the Grange Hall, located on the road now known as Lambert Hill Road.
- Dist.# 6 - On True Hill school was held, as needed, at the home now owned by Mrs. Roberta Richards.
- Dist.# 7 - Classes were held in a building in the area now known as Pond Road near Norton Hill Road
- Dist.# 8 - Taylor Hill was the location of another rural school for a time.
- Dist.# 9 - One of the very early school buildings was erected in the forest by the settlers in the Thomas Wright District. in the upper portion of East Strong. The building was situated on the road now known as Barker Road across from Herrick Mountain Road, in New Vineyard. This school was later called the Guild School.
- Dist.# 10 - Another schoolhouse in southern portion of East Strong was located at the end of the Lambert Road.
The May School
A unique early school was known as the May School. The May sisters, Julia and Sara, operated a private school for girls in Farmington, known as Wendall Institute, for 13 years until 1881. Thereafter they were convinced to move their school to Strong. The May School was erected for them next to their home on Upper Main Street, presently the home of Anthony Nichols. Here students, who wanted more than a common school education, could prepare for college admission. The sisters provided an opportunity never before available in Strong.
Home of May Sisters, with School at far right
Together they operated the school until Sara's death in 1888. Julia's grief was so great that she was unable to continue and then spent her time writing poetry, much of which was published. Julia continued to spend her summers at her home in Strong until her death in 1912.
In 1920 the school building was moved up Main Street where it became a private home, presently owned by the Estate of Marshall Stevens.
The cover of Songs from the Woods of Maine, by Julia H. May in 1894, is shown at right, with the poem, The Happy Hills of Strong, from that book.
