Chippewa Valley Museum — PO Box 1204 — Eau Claire WI 54702 — (715) 834-7871 — info@cvmuseum.com

A Community Center

Sunnyview nearly buried by a snowstorm, January 1937.

Country schools were often the center of public life in a rural neighborhood. Picnics, town meetings, 4-H clubs, and even wedding receptions would be held at the school.

At least during the 1930s and early 1940s, Sunnyview School was a bit unusual in this regard -- while neighborhood relationships revolved around Sunnyview, such events were often held at neighbors’ homes. The School Picnic, celebrating the end of school each May, was held at a different home each year.

The school was a neighborhood project. In 1936, Mr. Lee brought a new flag and Mr. Smith fixed the merry-go-round. The next year, the Smiths built a woven wire fence around the school yard. Parents and neighbors provided wood for the stove and shoveled the school out after snowstorms.

In many ways, Sunnyview was the most localized seat for all levels of government. In May of 1942, ninety-one people registered at Sunnyview for War Ration Coupons. The county nurse came regularly to give vaccinations and test the children’s eyesight. On snowy days, the letter carrier left mail at the school for neighbors to pick up.

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