Criterion A: Education
Period of Significance: 1872 to 1952
Local Level of Significance
Surry Village School is a two-story, two-room schoolhouse located in Surry, Hancock County, Maine. The gable-front, Italianate-style building is significant at the local level under Criterion A for its association with patterns of education. The building is the largest school constructed in Surry prior to the 1952 construction of the Surry Elementary School. Surry had as many as eight other school districts with one room schools prior to 1933 when the student population was consolidated into this school. In addition to use as a primary school, the Surry Village School served as the town's only high school during the years with high enrollment. The school was built in 1872 by local carpenter Jesse Ray and modified throughout its use as a school to accommodate evolving trends in education. The interior wood wall covering over the original plaster and added east windows occurred during the period of significance and reflect the evolution of educational practices and the distinct characteristics of a schoolhouse. The period of significance is from the 1872 construction to 1952 when the building was last used as a school. The building is the best remaining example that has the integrity to convey the broad patterns of educational history in the Town of Surry.