Henderson County Historical Society

On display at the Henderson County Museum is the Graham One-Room Schoolhouse and she’s sporting a brand new paint job, repaired shutters and a squeaky clean entrance ramp just in time for July 4th!!

The school was erected shortly after fire destroyed the former school building in 1890.  It was located in the south west corner of Biggsville Township and served District #39 for many years.  With the changing times and farms increasing in size, it became difficult to have enough pupils to keep the school going.  

School reorganization and school consolidations began. As this progressed, it was voted to divide Henderson County in the middle with a line drawn from east to west with children living in the north end of the county going to one district and the children in the south to another.

On April 2, 1951, the Graham Schoolhouse was sold at public auction to Joseph White, Sr.  This was the end of its use as a school.  It was later donated to the Henderson County Historical Society, by Joseph’s son Russell, to be a memorial to his sisters, Helen (White) Miller and Blanche (White) Whiteman.

In the summer of 1997, the Graham School was moved to its current location at the Henderson County Museum.  Like any such action, this required contributions and the combined efforts of many committee individuals and organizations.  The actual moving of the building was provided by the Twomey Company and interior renovation and furnishings by the Henderson County Retired Teachers and the Henderson County Museum.

Fun Fact:  On July 4th, 2026, two members of the Henderson County Retired Teachers will hold an old-fashioned spelling bee for kids at the Graham Schoolhouse as part of the Henderson County Historical Society’s Star Spangled Celebration.