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Center District School
44 Peck Rd.,
Bethany CT

This blog entry is part of an ongoing project called “One Room Schoolhouses in CT”).  If you’re interested in the history of one room schoolhouses in CT I suggest you purchase CONNECTICUT SCHOOLHOUSES THROUGH TIME by Melinda K. Elliott. This book was has been a very helpful resource for me as I did my research. At time of writing this book was available on AMAZON.

Cheryl and I headed over to Bethany for the purposes of adding to our collection of “one room schoolhouses” in CT. This school is located on the grounds of the Bethany Community School. It occupies a small island in front of the school and traffic circles around it.

The schoolhouse saw service for 100 years from 1834 to 1934. The school was restored in 1976. I must say, both inside and out, this is one of the most pristine schoolhouses that I’ve photographed to date. I like where the town has located it as it serves as a constant reminder to where education, in Bethany, has evolved over nearly 200 years.

You’ll notice two entrances on the front of the school.  Typically these are marked “BOYS” and “GIRLS” although this one isn’t.  As with almost every schoolhouse I’ve photographed to date each separate entrance would open up into a cloak room.  This gave the boy and girls their own space.  From there you would walk into the main school room.

Photographed with a Sony A7RV, 61 mp, mirrorless camera.

The INTERIOR SHOT: A Sony 10-18 APS-C lens was used at 15mm
The shot was taken from the outside through a windowpane handheld.
1/40th, f4.0, ISO 800, MANUAL MODE

The FRONT shot: A Sony 24-70 F2.8, GMII lens was used at 28 mm.
1/640th, F2.8, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE

The FRONT/LEFT corner shot: A Sony 24-70 F2.8, GMII lens was used at 38mm.
1/40th, f8, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE

The REAR/RIGHT SIDE shot: A Sony 24-70 F2.8, GMII lens was used at 40mm.
1/50th, f8, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE

The CENTER SCHOOL SIGN: A Sony 24-70 F2.8, GMII lens was used at 47mm.
1/500th, f8, ISO 1000, MANUAL MODE

The SIGN on THE ROCK: A Sony 24-70 F2.8, GMII lens was used at 58mm.
1/4, f16, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE-

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