The Old Stone School (The Summit County Historical Society), Akron

About The Old Stone School (The Summit County Historical Society)

The Old Stone School, home to the Summit County Historical Society, preserves Akron's first schoolhouse, built in the early 1830s at the corner of Broadway and Buchtel Avenue. Visitors to this stone building learn about education in Ohio's pioneer era through exhibits exploring the district school system that governed early Ohio schools. The schoolhouse itself represents a remarkable achievement in local history, as it was constructed with sawn lumber despite strict state budget limits that typically allowed only log structures. The building stands as evidence that Akron citizens donated private funds to create a more substantial schoolhouse than state law and taxation could support. The Old Stone School documents the three-member school boards, appointed officers, and tax collectors who managed individual school districts during the 1830s through 1850s. This museum in Akron, Ohio suits anyone interested in educational history, settlement-era architecture, and how early communities organized their schools. The site currently operates seasonally, so visitors should check for updates before planning a visit.