When Artesia Schoolhouse was built in 1878, it was the hub of Calumetville, which at the time was bustling with two general stores, two hotels, several saloons, a pair of blacksmith shops, a doctor’s office, flour and lumber mills, and a dance hall. It was built on land where hundreds of years before there had been a major Native American village on the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago.
The high expectations for Calumetville were demonstrated by its schoolhouse, which was grand by rural Wisconsin standards of the era, with its bell and cupola, 13-foot ceilings, plaster walls, chalkboards lining its walls, maple floors, elaborate trim, and rows of tall windows that flooded the rooms with sunlight.
But instead of continued prosperity, Calumetville’s population dwindled over the next century, and the school finally closed in the 1950s. During the following decades, the stately building was used for storage and fell into disrepair.
What was never lost, though, was the school’s great charm. Its solid structure included virgin timber on a cobblestone foundation. Its perch on a small hill, which provided some protection, also contributed to its longevity.
In 2019, current owners Christine Martell and Jim Jerving renovated and opened the building as an events venue with a 75 person capacity. A well was drilled, bringing running water for the first time (during its time as a school, pupils hauled in buckets of water). The classroom, and the adjacent recess hall, now hold two bars as well as comfortable seating at vintage tables. The maple floor provides a sturdy dance floor with space for live music. The former cloak room, and the room where wood was once stashed for the potbelly stoves, are now beautiful, accessible restrooms. A new kitchen is available for caterers, or those who want to bring in home cooking. Outdoor seating, plus plenty of space for lawn games, allow guests to wander in and out to enjoy the weather.
The welcoming atmosphere that greeted generations of students is back in full force. In addition to wedding ceremonies and receptions, Artesia Schoolhouse hosts celebrations of all descriptions, including engagement parties, vow renewals, bridal and baby showers, gender reveals, family reunions, business and community events. Other special events include art shows, food truck visits, painting classes, wine or cheese tastings, and occasional gatherings for dogs and their people.
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