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Class is in session at the Simmon’s Schoolhouse beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday as the Hauser Historians present Simmon’s School House until 6:30 p.m. at the restored one-room schoolhouse, located at 9273 Indiana State Road 9 in Hope.

After recently receiving a grant from the Indiana Society of Pioneers, the Hauser Historian’s longtime desire to offer a special free event to honor the schoolhouse for the remarkable space it is has come to fruition. 

“They’ve had this idea that they wanted to be more involved with Simmons School to educate the community about historical activities and different things,” says Sharon Mapes, sponsor of the Hauser Historians.

Those who regularly attend Hope’s Heritage Days may recognize the group and its activities from their involvement with the pioneer village, Mapes says.

The $1,000 grant was used to purchase supplies and costumes for Friday’s event, Mapes says. Working with volunteers from the Yellow Trail Museum, the group will offer some unique activities they haven’t done previously to mix things up.

“We’ll have a student demonstrating how to make bread, we have some making butter, and others leading games,” Mapes says.

Those who visit the school Friday will find several stations set up, which the kids can take turns visiting, with the Hauser Historians and Little Hoosiers helping out at each.

“There will be the game section and we will have everything from hopscotch to drawing log cabins in chalk and there will be crafts and coloring,” Mapes says. “They can make some games. There will also be bead making and games we can substitute in the case of inclement weather.”

Meanwhile, in the one-room schoolhouse, class will be in session.

Twenty-minute school sessions with the school “marms” will run on the half hour so there is some continuity and activities aren’t interrupted, Mapes says.

Organizers are excited for a great turnout for an event that has been years in the making. In the event of inclement weather, some activities will be moved to the hallway of Hope Elementary and school sessions will remain in the schoolhouse.

“We are very excited about it and hope to make this an annual event,” Mapes says. “We hope to have a good crowd, and everyone enjoys themselves.”