IN NEED OF REPAIR — The Pleasant Hill School House Museum, located on state Route 213 in Steubenville, is in need of several repairs to the one-room school structure, including work to the roof and ceiling. -- Contributed

Passers-by may not even take immediate notice of the structure when driving along the winding roadway on which it stands.

But inside that tiny building lies the source to understanding what times were like almost 150 years ago.

Inside that brick schoolhouse is a visable example of how different life used to be for children growing up in the Ohio Valley.

The Pleasant Hill School House Museum was constructed in 1836, serving as a church until being transformed into a school for local children.

The doorframes, door jams and pillars within the building also are in need of repairs. -- Contributed

For years, the museum’s board has been trying to help the community see into the past, helping them to learn how one’s ancestors used to live.

It was a different time.

A different lifestyle.

How children received their education was an entirely different environment than it is today.

However, there are several repairs which need to be made in order to help the schoolhouse stay in repair.

That’s according to members of the museum’s board, including Secretary Connie Crawford, a former Edison Local school teacher who, along with Gloria Renda and Karen Lundquist, began the restoration project of the one-room schoolhouse in 2008.

Officers and volunteers have worked diligently for almost two decades to reconstruct the one-room schoolhouse in order to allow the community the opportunity to see how children used to learn.

The environment they had to learn in.

The education and resources they had during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

It was a detail-oriented process.

It took time.

And it took the help of area residents to make that dream become a reality.

Now, officials are once again seeking the community’s help in order to continue their purpose.

Because time takes its toll on buildings.

Especially this one.

Crawford explained the museum is run entirely on donations from its board members and area residents.

It is also run on the money raised through its annual fundraisers, events and activities, which the schoolhouse board holds throughout the year, such as square dances.

Now, officials are trying to keep this historic structure thriving — despite it being an uphill battle.

“The board members and volunteers work hard to keep this piece of history alive, but even with all of the work put in, maintenance and general upkeep are greatly needed at this time,” stated museum board President Ryan Finney.

Finney explained monetary donations are needed to fix the schoolhouse.

He noted donations in the physical sense are needed, as well, including time and labor.

Examples of the imminent repairs include having the paint peeling from the ceiling’s tiles.

Finey stated these particular tiles are the original ones which were obtained from the old city building in Steubenville.

He said repairs need to be made to the schoolhouse’s slate roof, and to the inside of the chimney.

Patchwork and the replacing of wooden doorframes needs to be dealt with. And officials are seeking any kind of help or idea regarding window insulation.

“We want to keep the original windows but the monthly heating and air conditioning bills are outrageous,” Finney commented.

These are just some of what needs to be accomplished to help maintain the structure.

“It literally took a community to make the project what it has become today,” Crawford said. With the help of donations, luck and many blessings, it was possible to maintain much of the room’s original features, she added.

Now, she and others are hoping the community will once again come out and support the museum so that future generations will not miss out on the opportunity to learn about the past.

She is hoping to keep that small building on state Route 213 open to the public for at another 200 years.

“We thank you all for supporting the history on the hill,” Finney concluded, saying anyone who is able to either make any type of donation can contact him at (740) 381-0592.