La Escuela/The Schoolhouse

Spanish children were taught in their homes by their parents, in the churches,
or in Mexican boarding schools. Not until the late 1800s was a school system
established in northern New Mexico. This two-room cabin was built in Ratón
in 1878 as a private home. When the railroad came to New Mexico in 1880 it
was converted to Ratón's first schoolhouse. Later, unused and deteriorating, it
was donated to the Museum by Delores Noel in memory of her mother,
Ida Atwater, the former owner. In 1980 the 102-year-old structure was
rebuilt at Las Golondrinas. The schoolroom was furnished by donations, and
the second room was the apartment of the teacher and is arranged as such.
The adobe addition is a private apartment.