NORWAY – The Western Maine Art Group is seeking memories from people about the one-room schoolhouses that were once widespread in the town.

The art group is headquartered at the Matolcsy Arts Center, which used to house the Norway Upper Primary School, and is planning two events recognizing the former schools.

At 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, the arts center will host a memory night, with art and memorabilia related to the school and other former schoolhouses. On Nov. 8, the Norway Universalist Church will host a supper at 5 p.m., followed by an “end of term exhibition” featuring presentations and school stories by humorist Sharon Bouchard. The cost of the supper is $6 per person.

As part of the events, the group is also planning a scavenger hunt that involves finding the locations of the old schools, with winners to be announced in the weeks following the event.

The Norway Upper Primary School was built in 1866, and in operation until 1967. Aranka Matolscy, director of the art group, said the building lies within Norway’s historic district and is in need of top-to-bottom repair.

“It’s critical for us to save this building,” Matolcsy said.

Matolcsy said the group is seeking to preserve the building through grants, community support and volunteer efforts.

Lesley Dean, a former student at the school, said she came up with the idea of focusing on the school’s history as part of the revitalization effort. “The more we talked about it in the community, the more interest we realized was there,” Dean said.

Dean added there were once 17 schoolhouses in Norway, some of which were moved to different locations over the years. At least six are still standing.

She has been researching the history of the schoolhouses in anticipation of the events, and has also received memorabilia and recollections from former students. The memorabilia include photographs and past school assignments, while the stories range from test flights with umbrellas to detention under the teacher’s desk.

“This turned into a much bigger project than I certainly planned it,” Dean said. “It’s more of a kickoff. Because there’s a lot, lot more research to do.”

The effort will include the compilation of information on the Norway Upper Primary School to be kept at the arts center, as well as a compilation of information on all of Norway’s schoolhouses to go to the Norway Historical Society.

For more information, contact the art group at 739-6161 or the Upper Primary Reunion Committee at 6 Maple St. or by e-mail at [email protected].