1851 Schoolhouse Museum

Benton is fortunate to have a part of its educational history preserved in the 1851 Schoolhouse Museum, the first schoolhouse built in the village limits. At the time of its construction in 1851, the schoolhouse was located near the corner of Main and Park Streets, and although it was a public school, Dominican nuns taught there until 1886.  (There are historical indications, however, that perhaps they may not have been the school’s very first teachers.) 
 
When a new two-room school was erected in 1886, the first schoolhouse was moved to the rear of the new school. After being sold some years later, it was moved one-quarter mile east on Highway 11 and used as a private residence. In 1980, the building was donated to the Benton Alumni Association by Bill and Diana Sides and was moved, once again, to its present location on Catherine Street in the Village Park. 
 
The museum houses a collection of Benton school and alumni memorabilia. It is open on Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends and other times by appointment by contacting Pauline Alexander at 608.759.3441.