Securing the future of Port Stanley Schoolhouse

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the painting fund for the Port Stanley Schoolhouse last spring! Perhaps you noticed that we got a new roof in the fall, instead? Just as we were preparing to paint, we found out that much of the siding was actually rotten. Around the same time, one of the buildings lost some shingles to a storm, and we decided we had to address that first. Then this winter, the south side windows started leaking. The front porch decking, stairs, and railing need to be replaced, as well as the gutters. Whew! These old wooden buildings need a lot of care.

The schoolhouse sporting her new roof and (unfortunately), window plastic.

As a small non-profit, LIHS needs the help of its community to maintain this building. We have big plans for summer exhibits in the next few years (including maybe this summer, stay tuned!), but first and foremost, we must ensure that the schoolhouse remains sound for the future! We invite you to be active participants in the longevity of this historic structure - for the benefit of our community and its heritage, for the kids who go to school there, for the history programs, exhibits, artists shows, and weddings that it has and will again host. (This building has a storied history…check out lopezmuseum.org for more of the backstory.)

First day of school for the Lopez Island Academy, 2025

Pamela Pauly has generously offered to lead a volunteer team to rebuild the front porch. If you also have skills or time to offer, please reach out! But yes, we also need CASH for supplies, new windows, gutters, and siding.

Please make a contribution, big or small, and reach out if you would like to be involved! You can email Amy at history@lopezmuseum.org.

With our gratitude,

The LIHS Board & Staff

Wait! That’s not the board…that’s a small part of the crew who helped LIHS restore the schoolhouse 30 years ago. L to R: Randy O’Bryant, Shane Finneran, Marian Spiedel, and Jim Keene