Since construction of the Independent School building in 1919, there is little record of subsequent maintenance or renovation of the building. Electricity was not put in until 1939 or 1940 and the back portion was added to the school in 1952. This room was unfinished and was called the gym. Interior partition walls were added later, but the dates are uncertain. 1958 the Schoolhouse was deeded to the Independent Community Club. Since then, various groups have used the Schoolhouse for an array of functions.
Renovation Activities since the 1990’s
With the influx of new Club members and enthusiasm in the early 1990s, renovation of the old Schoolhouse began. Club members organized innumerable weekend work parties to tackle what has turned out to be a several decade-long renovation project.
In 2012, Independent School (historic name) was added to the Benton County Register of Historic Resources. This was followed by addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
It has been the intention of the Independent Community Club to meet the standards put forth in the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings. The ICC Board has secured the expertise of a contractor and engineer to assist in following these guidelines.
Renovation Projects
1. Restoration of rear addition
- remove and or repair damaged siding
- mill replacement siding and install
- prep surface of siding and painting the outside
2. Heating
- install forced air furnace
- remove propane stove
3. Windows
- replace windows in addition
- repair windows north side of building with recycled glass
- Re-glaze and paint all windows
4. Refinish interior of Front Hall
- Patch falling sheetrock in the ceiling and on interior walls
- Texture and paint walls
5. Restoration of North side of School House
- remove and or repair damaged siding
- mill replacement siding
- prep and paint
6. Restore Back Room foundation, framing
- remove failed Subfloor (about 100 sq ft)
- remove failed joists
- replace sections of foundation, framing & joists
- remove and replace the lower rotted 15” of each stud
- insulate floor with R-19 insulation
- add new insulation between all of the studs
7. Rehabilitation of South Side ‘Auxiliary Room’
- remove or repair damaged siding
- build new concrete foundation
- mill replacement siding
- repair joists and framework
- reframe the “bumpout”
- mill and install all braces previously removed
- prep and paint
- update\repair electrical outlets
- construct new shelving system and rolling chair storage carts
8. Reconstruction of back entry way
- reframe doorway
- replace door – fire safety
- Build sidewalk ramp to back door for wheel chair accessibility
9. Internal Rear Room Construction
- Electrical, Plumbing, Framing
- Install wainscoting
- 10. Replace Rest Rooms
- Old rest rooms removed
- New rest rooms framed and finished
- (one room will accommodate wheel chairs)
10. Roof
- New asphalt shingles and fix all leaks
11. Water System
- Install water purification system
- Install hot water heater with new plumbing
12. Exterior perimeter water lines and drainage
- Excavate and install water lines
13. Acoustics in Front Hall
- Build and install twenty sound attenuation panels
14. Move electrical panel from front porch to inside Back Room
Note: Ability to accomplish continuing projects like these will depend upon grants and donations. To donate, please see Donations page.