Mary's Little Lamb Schoolhouse - Sudbury, MA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 42° 21.517 W 071° 28.284
19T E 296471 N 4692552
Legend has it that the Mary in the poem, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" went to this very schoolhouse, which was moved here from Sterling, Massachusetts to be here with other buildings by the Wayside Inn.
Waymark Code: WMBK57
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 05/28/2011
Views: 6
In Sudbury, off U.S. Route 20, is the Wayside Inn, with other buildings nearby associated with this iconic inn. Among them is a small, squarish building that has been labeled as The Redstone Schoolhouse or Mary's Little Lamb Schoolhouse.
According to a couple bronze plaques around the building, the building was the very building that Mary in poem, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" went to for schooling. The plaque making the claim states:
"In Honor of the Children's Classic
'Mary Had a Little Lamb'
and of
Mary Elizabeth Sawyer-1806-1889-The Mary of the Poem
Rebecca Kimball, the Teacher
John Roulstone, Author of the first twelve lines
Sarah Josepha Hale, whose genius completed the poem
in its present form.
This building incorportes the original 'Redstone' School house,
scene of the poem, scene of the poem, which stood in the second school district of
Sterling Massachusetts. It was in use from 1798 to 1856 and
was removed to this spot for its present preservation by
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford."
The other plaque has an image of a book open to a page showing the poem and an illustration.
There is doubt that this was the actual schoolhouse, or that there was really the Mary in the poem. Still, it is worth stopping the car and stretching your legs to see. The Wayside Inn website is more conservative - it doesn't even mention the Mary attendance legend. But it is in good overall shape, including appropriate furniture and other items in that would have been there in that era.
Check the web site for specific information, and call ahead to be sure that there place is open for tours. Parking is available either at the grist mill or the Wayside Inn, both on Wayside Road.
Price of Admission: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Weekday Hours: From: 11:30 AM To: 5:00 PM
Weekend Hours: From: 11:30 AM To: 5:00 PM
Roadside Attractions Website: [Web Link]
Location Website: [Web Link]
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