Henderson County Historical Society

Henderson County Historical Society's Artifact of the Week

This week’s Artifact of the Week is the 100-year old Henderson County Museum building in Raritan, the former Raritan Grade School.  

Built in 1926, the Raritan Grade School replaced a two-story school building constructed around 1880, that was destroyed by fire in 1925. In 1950, an addition was put on the south side of the building and then in 1954 a metal building was attached on the west side, mainly for recess and physical education classes.  

About that same time, they hired their first male teacher at the grade school. Mr. Patterson started a sports program which included a softball team and a basketball team. The students had the privilege of selecting green and white as the school colors and choosing “Raritan Wildcats” as the team name.

Fun Fact:  A Raritan Grade School Reunion will be held on May 23, at the nearby shelter house.  Museum tours will begin at 10:00 a.m. and a former student group photo will be held at 11:30 am.  A potluck picnic will follow. 

Everyone is invited.