Grass Hill School

06/18/2026

Thank you to everyone that has been donating to the schoolhouse restoration. Attached is an update on this past year's progress.

06/08/2026

We would like to Thank Amy Mazzotta-Graff for the donation of these 3 desks. They are just the vintage we are looking for as part of the schoolhouse rehab. We also would like to thank Karen Magnant for tipping us off about these gems.

05/08/2026

We want to show off this amazing piece Jeff Dore built and donated to the Millbury Historical Society. It's a model of the Grass Hill School that doubles as a donation collection box. You will see it put out at various events. It's amazing craftsmanship. Thank you Jeff!!

04/22/2026

History of the Grass Hill School

Take a trip down memory lane to a small old schoolhouse in West Millbury. The former Grass Hill School, which became the West Millbury School, opened in 1861 and continued in operation until 1968.

When the school closed in 1968, there were four classes in it: first and second grades downstairs in one room, and third and fourth grades upstairs in a second room. However, in the early years of the school there would have been Grades 1-8 in the building, and children would have pretty much taught themselves.

Children only went to school summers and winters because they were needed during the rest of the year for farm work. Families had to provide books and other materials.

There were a variety of rules and regulations and punishments that today would be considered politically incorrect or abusive. If a student was disobedient, he or she would come to the front of the classroom and stand with arms raised to shoulder height, with a piece of firewood in each hand. There was the traditional standing in the corner, also.

Disobedient boys might have to wear a girl's bonnet. Standing with feet apart and touching nails in the floorboards in a kind of Twister position was another punishment.

04/21/2026

An amazing work of art by the Wizard Art! One will proudly hang at the schoolhouse and the other will be used to make prints and notecards that will be offered for sale to benefit the schoolhouse restoration. We can't thank The Witches of Sutton enough and especially the Wizard in the group, Art who actually painted them, for the heartfelt donation.

04/17/2026

A huge thank you to 102 Property Maintenance for relocating 3 granite posts from the schoolhouse property onto the front to protect the new landscaping in the front. It looks great.

We got the chance to restore a little bit of history today.

102 Property Maintenance, Inc. installed three granite posts that were found right on the property as part of the restoration of the historic Grass Hill School in Millbury. Bringing original materials back into place is a great way to preserve the character and story of this special building for future generations.

We’re proud to be part of projects that make a lasting impact in our community.

04/15/2026

Spring has sprung at the schoolhouse, albeit with some heavy clouds. We are ready to restart our continuing restorations. Keep an eye out for progress updates and we will have an open house when we can.