Dennis Ponders Saving Historic School

DENNISVILLE – At its May 8 meeting, Dennis Township Committee discussed how to preserve its historical Old Academy schoolhouse. The structure is located on the corner of Petersburg and Academy Roads in Dennisville and was originally built in 1842. 
The property has been for sale, and the municipality submitted an offer for $69,900. Having received an additional offer, the owner is requesting new and “best” offers.
The township will probably submit an offer again at its previous amount of $69,900.
According to Ray Rebmann, who directs Dennis’ historical museum, at that time in mid-19th century New Jersey, Dennisville was perhaps the largest and busiest village in the county. Industries included shipbuilding, shipping, and cedar shingle making.
“This is the township’s only school of this kind and one of only three that were built in the county. It is the only academy still standing. Subscription-based academy schools, such as this one, were replaced by public schools later in the 19th century and our Old Academy has been placed on the national and state historic registers.”
The committee is pondering if the township wins the bid for the property, should the original building be moved? The intent would be to relocate it to the vacant ground next to the museum in Dennisville on Petersburg Road a short distance away from its present location. Doing so “would enable the museum to expand the displays from its currently somewhat cluttered space” per Rebmann.
“We could also add a reading/meeting room as well as rooms for displaying local artwork and crafts such as the work of the considerable number of resident woodcarvers that Dennis is fortunate to have. These are just a few possibilities.
“There’s no doubt in my mind, the addition of the academy would definitely improve our ability to meaningfully serve the community in the areas of local history and culture, and I commend the Township for exploring this possibility,” said Rebmann.
In meetings over the next few months, committee and township Engineer Jack Gibson will explore what it would take regarding money and effort to purchase and relocate the structure.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.