Newtown Historical Society held its annual open house at The Little Red Schoolhouse on Sunday, September 14.

The antique building dates back to 1850 and is owned and maintained by Newtown Historical Society. The schoolhouse served the former Bear Hills School District, and originally stood on the north side of Toll Gate Hill, near the Newtown-Monroe town line.

In 1973 the historical society was given The Little Red Schoolhouse with the provision that it be moved from its original site. It was subsequently relocated to the front lawn of the present Middle Gate Elementary School on Cold Spring Road where it stands today.

The open house is a long-standing tradition of the historical society, whose members offer guests of all ages the opportunity to learn what life was like for students and teachers in the schoolhouse many years ago.

Last weekend Melissa Houston, director of education for Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center in Ridgefield, shared how quills were used to write and practice cursive letters in 1850.

She also discussed how students progressed through their studies since it was a one-room schoolhouse and there were children in grades 1-6 at the same time. Guests were also invited to play games that were in fashion in the 19th century.

The event drew a full house of people, who all happily dined on cookies and cold cider.