	Van Wert County Historical Society 602 N. Washington Street Van Wert OH 45891 Phone 419 771-9851 Open on Sundays from 2-4:30 p.m. March through November Special group tours by appointment
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Bear School

The BEAR SCHOOL was originally a one-room schoolhouse in District #11, Ridge Township. Peter Knittle provided the property on which the building was located, and classes were held for the first time in this building in 1904. The Emerson Blauser family donated the building. (Grace Blauser was the granddaughter of Peter Knittle.) The bell, given to the Museum by Gale Knittle (Peter Knittle’s grandson), was originally installed by John Ringwald. It is cast of bell metal which has a very loud sound and bears a casting date of 1903. The 1996 moving and restoration project was made possible by a grant from 1st Federal Savings & Loan Assoc. It is furnished with old school desks, a teacher’s desk, a recitation bench, an organ, the old black stove, books, slates, photos, and other school memorabilia.

	The front of the Bear School classroom

	The big pot belly stove that provides heat to the classroom

	One room schools always had an outhouse or two in the back

Van Wert County Historical Society
P.O. Box 621
602 N. Washington Street
Van Wert OH 45891

Phone 419 771-9851

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