POLAND TOWNSHIP — A short ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Little Red Schoolhouse to commemorate the planting of a white oak tree as a way to celebrate America250-Ohio.

“It is a late notice as the tree just arrived,” said Poland Historical Society member Kurt Hilderbrand. “It will be a simple 20-minute ceremony.”

The Poland Historical Society got the honors for the program. The tree is one of 88 trees being planted through America250-Ohio, which will plant a white oak in each Ohio county. The Little Red Schoolhouse site was selected as a “meaningful” location in Mahoning County because of the rich history of the building and property, according to Hilderbrand.

According to the Poland Historical Society website, The Little Red Schoolhouse, originally known as Poland Center School, is a one-room, brick structure that replaced an old log school built in 1918 on the southeast corner of Struthers and Center roads. Over time, the log school slipped into poor condition. In 1858, property was purchased on the northeast corner and the brick structure was built. The land was purchased from Wright and Elmira Adair for a sum of $80.

The new brick schoolhouse served children until it was closed in 1915, along with many other one-room school houses. From 1915 until 1979, the Schoolhouse was used by local governments, for church services and for other community purposes. Over time, it sat empty and eventually fell into a deteriorating condition. In 1965, the Poland Board of Education decided to sell it, but could not find a satisfactory buyer.

In 1979, the Poland Township Historical Society was incorporated with the main purpose to save the historic old school. An agreement was reached with the Board of Education and they agreed on a 99-year lease.

In 2020, after a merger (in 1984) of the Poland Township Historical Society and the Poland Village Library Historical Society, the name was changed to simply The Poland Historical Society. The Little Red Schoolhouse was saved and restoration began. On Sept. 20, 1987, it was dedicated to the community.

An addition was completed in 1992 that included a kitchen, handicap accessible bathrooms, an office and a cloak room.

Today the Little Red Schoolhouse serves as a museum of artifacts pertaining to the history of Poland, dating back to 1796 when the land was surveyed and registered as Town 1 Range 1 of the Connecticut Western Reserve.

PHS President Laurie Fox said the strong historic connection made the location a perfect site for the America250-Ohio tree planting. She said the state committee also sent a sign to be placed at the tree to recognize it for America250-Ohio’s celebration. She hopes to have robust attendance for the event Saturday.

“We’re hoping to have some county and Poland government officials on hand for the planting,” Fox said. “It’s scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday since other Earth Day-type activities and a guided walking tour in Poland Woods are happening that morning.”