On the north end of the Donnelly Threshing Bee Grounds sits the District 7 Schoolhouse.

At one time, the schoolhouse resided in Rendsville Township just east of Donnelly where, for 56 years, several generations of students received their education.

In 1972, the schoolhouse was moved to the grounds of the Donnelly Threshing Bee, where it remains today awaiting visitors who wish to learn about, or simply reminisce on, times of yore.

A schoolhouse on the site of a fair or festival ground isn’t unique, but the District 7 Schoolhouse is.

When you visit the District 7 Schoolhouse at the Donnelly Threshing Bee, a lesson will be waiting inside for you.

Donnelly native Kathy Eystad comes up with a one-word lesson to feature each year in the schoolhouse. The chosen word, along with its dictionary definition, are on display with items that relate that definition back to Donnelly history.

“I wanted to do displays there to get more visits, sure, and then as the displays evolved, you know, I came up with this idea that it’s a school, and we should be teaching something from here, right?” Eystad said.

The one-word themes can go in many directions.

Last year, the word was “cartoonist,” and the display featured the works of Donnelly native Delmar Holdgrafer. Holdgrafer was a well-known area cartoonist who had cartoons in several publications. He often drew the designs for area posters, flyers, reunion books, and anything else applicable.

Eystad even had the front door from Holdgrafer’s farm house on display. A 1995 guestbook entry to the schoolhouse also just happened to have Holdgrafer as the first visitor on that page, so Eystad put that on display as well.

Other themes have included “royalty,” during the 50th anniversary year of the Threshing Bee having royalty. The school house was decorated with banners highlighting the crowned royalty from each year, and a memorial for those no longer living.

“Handiwork” was another theme, which featured handmade items, like quilts and knitted items, made by area hobbyists. 

Before she began focusing on one word themed lessons, Eystad began putting together displays to encourage more visits to the schoolhouse. As they evolved, so did the lessons.

One year, weddings through the century was the theme, featuring tuxedos and dresses from the late 19th century to the 1990s. Eystad’s own wedding dress from the 1980s was on display, with the skirt covering the pot-bellied stove. White lattice, lights, flowers, and music were used to accentuate the display. “That was a cool one,” Eystad said.

“Sometimes, I would do like a country kitchen kind of thing,” Eystad said. This included a poem about a grandma’s apron at the center, with different aprons on display throughout the schoolhouse.

Eystad also had a poem about the gingham pattern, and used that as a centerpoint for that year’s display. Gingham had a significant role in history, she added, saying that oftentimes, women would cross-stitch on the fabric, or make things like tablecloths and curtains with it. 

From the beginning of her time decorating the schoolhouse, Eystad says she had the help from many people, including Gertie Werk and Donna Gades. “There are many, many, other people who have contributed through the years,” Eystad added.

Though the schoolhouse is decked out for its theme each year, people can still go inside to see and experience the old features of the schoolhouse. 

You can still sit at the desks inside, including desks that were created for the use of a student with a physical disability. 

This year, as Donnelly celebrates its 125th anniversary, the schoolhouse will feature the history of Donnelly. The word is “quasquicentennial,” which is the word for 125th anniversary. 

When you stop out at the Donnelly Threshing Bee this year, make sure to peek inside the schoolhouse to take a journey back to yesteryear. 

The poem below was written by an unknown author in 1972 in tribute to the schoolhouse’s new home at the Threshing Bee Grounds.

CONTENTED

Author Unknown, June 10, 1972

Thanks to all of you for my final location

Made possible by your efforts and donations

I want you to know my desire it is still Progress in ED-U-CA-TION to fulfill –

And I hope that my future students will be. 

Only people who’ve learned to appreciate me

The schoolhouse of Old District Seven – That’s me!

Come see me this year at our fine Threshing Bee