An integral part of Poland’s heritage is the building known today as the Little Red Schoolhouse which was built in 1858. The building is located at 4515 Center Rd. (Rt. 224) at the Struthers Rd. intersection. In 1915, the building ceased to function as a school, but it has continued to serve the community in various capacities. In the late 1970’s, the Poland Board of Education began to consider selling the building and property as it was no longer needed and had fallen into disrepair.
In 1979, the Poland Township Historical Society was formed in an effort to save Poland’s Little Red Schoolhouse. A lease agreement between the Historical Society and the Poland Local Board of Education was arranged for $1.00 per year for a period of 99 years, thus becoming the home of the newly formed Poland Historical Society. Poland is the only school district in Ohio to still have a one room brick schoolhouse.
Through the efforts of Society members, a Federal Grant was secured for restoration of the building along with numerous donations of time and money from the community. The building has qualified for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
