Couple looking for fixer-upper projects leads to stunning conversion of an old schoolhouse

In Weare, New Hampshire, a 19th-century schoolhouse sat empty for 15 years until Kreg and Danielle Jones and their 18-year-old son discovered it and embarked on a fixer-upper project.

Initially mistaken for commercial property due to its school-like appearance, Kreg transformed the building into a home.

Only later did they discover it was a small one-room schoolhouse originally built for the town of North Where, jokingly dubbed “Nowhere,” New Hampshire.

This schoolhouse is unique with its cast iron columns dating back to 1856, a rare find in rural areas.

Unlike other local schools that were mostly wooden and have since disappeared, this one was constructed with sturdy brick and granite from New Hampshire.

Operating as a school until the mid-1940s, it stood empty before serving as a grange hall in the ’50s and ’60s.

By the mid-’80s, Kreg and Danielle took ownership when it was little more than a shell after sitting vacant for years.

“When we bought it, it was just a shell,” recalled Danielle. “It had been for sale for about 15 years. Everyone in town would stop and dream about what could be done with it.”

Their decision to buy it and start a fixer-upper project resonated deeply with locals, including a fifth-generation visitor who expressed gratitude.

Many others had hoped to buy it over the years. Still, the opportunity never materialized until it was listed as residential.

Taking a break from her job as a historic preservation architect, Danielle found the fixer-upper project perfect for their family bonding.

Together, they turned the old schoolhouse into a cozy home. However, the original circular driveway must be removed for a modern septic system.

Going inside, separate doors for girls and boys and distinct staircases reflected the school’s history.

Girls, wearing dresses, ascended one staircase while boys used another. Today, the girls’ entrance serves as the main door.

The worn stairs inside, marked by years of use, led students to the lunch area, maintaining separate paths for boys and girls to ensure symmetry and balance in the building’s design.

Danielle proudly showed off the preserved classroom with its original high ceilings, brick walls, and historic tin ceiling, painstakingly restored to its former glory.

“We stripped down the old tin ceiling, filled in holes, and even restored a horsehair plaster ceiling from the early 1900s,” she explained.

The classroom, with its spacious 14-foot ceilings and tall windows, once illuminated by natural light, now hosts memories of lessons taught in front of slate chalkboards lining the walls.

Remnants of an old wood stove hint at days when students sat in rows facing the teacher, much like scenes from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories.

One-room schoolhouses still exist in Montana, where Craig’s grandmother once taught, keeping rural traditions alive.

Their neighbor, who attended the school, shares stories of a simpler life supported by dairy cows, gardens, and chickens—a lifestyle typical for families in the area.

In another part of the house, a space originally used as a library with a curved ceiling now serves as a second wing, housing their architecture office, their son’s bedroom, and a bathroom.

A turntable, a cherished wedding gift to Danielle’s grandparents, stands as a centerpiece in the room, surrounded by mementos from their global travels and reminders of their children’s diverse origins.

“We’ve collected items from everywhere we’ve lived,” Danielle shared warmly. “Visitors often recognize pieces from Minneapolis, where our daughter was born, or mementos from Russia and Ukraine, where our son was born.”

Their home, a testament to their journey and commitment to preserving its history, has earned the admiration and support of their community, who initially feared its demolition but now celebrate its restoration.

Watch the Jones’s amazing fixer-upper project story below:

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