Help us paint the Port Stanley Schoolhouse!

Our beloved Port Stanley Schoolhouse needs a fresh coat of paint to protect her from the elements, as well as her floors refinished. Lovingly restored by this community between 1994 and 2003, it has housed weddings, art shows, music, history programs, and school children once again for two decades. We hope you will continue to honor this beautiful edifice of Lopez history and help us keep her well preserved!

A little history: The Port Stanley Schoolhouse was designed by 17 year old Lee Noderer, whose father was working at the Kelp Plant. Completed as the 3rd Port Stanley School in 1917, it served students until 1938. The building then sat empty and was used as a hay barn until the Jones family generously donated it to the Lopez Historical Society. It was listed on the National Historic Register in 1994 through the efforts of curator Nancy McCoy, and the Lopez community then rallied to renovate it, donating thousands of volunteer hours and discounted services. A school reunion was held in 2003, with forty prior students attending! The schoolhouse now happily houses the children of the Lopez Island Academy, and is available to the community for rentals during the summer months. We hope you will join us in ensuring that this important piece of Lopez history remains well cared for!

Port Stanley school photo, 1935-36

Inside of the school as captured by Nancy Edwards in the 1970s

Nancy McCoy helping the 4-H kids clean out the schoolhouse

Bob & Vivan Burt and family outside of the schoolhouse after renovation

School reunion/re-opening celebration in 2003