Linda’s Monthly Monday Morning Moaning’s for April 7, 2025
Back in early 2020, I wrote a blog about my frustration in seeing a Washington Township treasure, the 1840 Thorington primary school, sit at the side of the road, at Mound and 31 Mile and slowly deteriorate as time went on. Many people would comment on why this was allowed to happen, but nothing seemed to fix this issue. I realized that our township Supervisor Sebastian Sam Previti was also greatly bothered that this landmark for Washington was being ignored, and over the next four years he managed to come to an agreement with the owners of this small bit of property, 1/8th of an acre with the school sitting on it. Image below, from 2021.
Image below from 2023, now showing the large hole in the roof that that continues to weaken the structure further.
To further this, I will let Sam speak for himself: I am excited to announce the purchase of the historic 1840 Thorington School House!
I am proud to share that we have officially secured the purchase of the historic 1840 Thorington School House! This acquisition was approved by the Washington Township Board of Trustees with a 6-1 vote, marking a major step in preserving our community’s rich history.
The Thorington School House, located on Mound Road just south of 31 Mile, was purchased for $125,000, including the original school bell. Right now, the building sits on just 1/8 of an acre, making it difficult to develop, maintain, and fully restore. That’s why I’m leading the effort to relocate it to a 10-acre township-owned parcel on 31 Mile Road between Mound and Campground. This move will allow us to properly restore, protect, and showcase this incredible piece of history for future generations.
The new location will become Thorington Park, a public green space that will feature: A pavilion, restrooms, playscape, pickleball courts & parking. The historic schoolhouse as the focal point, for a beautiful setting for student visits, proms, homecomings & photos and rental space for small private events. A fruit tree from each township orchard to honor our agricultural heritage will be planted on the site.
To restore and revitalize the Thorington School House, we are partnering with Craig Brant, Romeo Schools Building Trades teacher, whose students will gain hands-on experience in construction and restoration. Additionally, Romeo High School architecture students, led by Evva Dossin, played a major role in designing the park layout, creating a working mockup of the future Thorington Park. Finally we are having our planning consultant Spalding DeDecker work to explore grants and funding to help explore funding avenues of this project. Protecting our historical landmarks for future generations
Beyond my role as Supervisor, I also serve as President of the Greater Washington Area Historical Society and Museum, where I’ve helped raise critical funds to preserve the 1916 former High School that now serves as the Washington Township museum, including securing a much-needed roof replacement. My passion for history runs deep, and I am honored to lead this project for our township. The Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks and Recreation Department will oversee the park’s maintenance, ensuring it remains a long-lasting community asset and follow a key part of our township’s master plan for new parks and green spaces. Sebastian Sam Previti.
Having been ‘cleaned up’, now waiting for its next move in July, a 1/4 mile east of its present location to a 10 acres parcel on 31 Mile Road and Campground.
Thank you Sam, for all the hard work, negotiations, and time you put into this project, in acquiring this little treasure for our community. There were many times I was fearful when passing the structure in the last few years that it would be laying as a pile of timber on the ground, each winter making the possibility of this, almost a sure thing. Thank you for taking the reins and seeing this project through, hopefully the hard part is finished. Above images courtesy of the author. Advertisement image courtesy of Anne Nicolazzo Photography. And thank you to ‘The Record’ newspaper.
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Linda Osborne Cynowa 