Your Hub for Exciting Community Events in Pembroke, MA

The mission of Old Schoolhouse No. 7 in Pembroke, Massachusetts, is to preserve and protect this historic one-room schoolhouse as a living reminder of the town's educational heritage. Through careful stewardship and community involvement, the organization works to maintain the building and its historical character for future generations. Old Schoolhouse No. 7 also serves as a welcoming gathering place that strengthens community connections by hosting family friendly events, educational programs and seasonal activities that celebrate local history while bringing residents together.

History and Presidents Appreciation

Old School House Number 7 is a historic one-room schoolhouse, it is one of the few remaining schoolhouses in Pembroke.  In the 1800s’ there were seven one room schoolhouses in town.  Today, it serves as a community gathering space maintained by the East Pembroke Community Club (EPCC). The building is part of local heritage efforts and is rented out for meetings, presentations, and celebrations. Community events and reflections on its past and future are held there. Please see the EPCC-1 Facebook page for events and more information.  The secretary, Beth Hoyt can be reached at Eastpembrokecc@gmail.com

Early role in education

 In the 19th and early 20th centuries, small local schoolhouses like School House #7 were the heart of common-school education in Pembroke and other New England towns. Each district schoolhouse served the children living within walking distance. These buildings were typically one room with a single teacher and students of all ages and grades together. It was built in 1857 when Pembroke’s district school system was thriving. One-room schoolhouses in the region were commonly used until the 1930s, after which many were closed as education consolidated into larger graded schools. The last group of students put down their pens and pencils in 1922.

Transition to community use

 After it ceased to function as a school in 1922 the building did not fall into oblivion. Instead, local groups preserved it. The East Pembroke Community Club, a volunteer organization, now maintains and operates the building, honoring its past as an educational and social hub. In 1924 a group of neighbors purchased the building to start the club. The club added the kitchen and soon hosted parties and receptions, hayrides, birthday parties, Whist nights and bean suppers. The club thrived until the mid-1980s when its membership declined and the building was deserted.

By 1993 the building had a leaking roof, broken windows, peeling paint and poison ivy growing up through the insides. In that same year several remaining members and many others in the neighborhood set out to revive the club. The club became a social center again and thrived. The existing shed has been rebuilt in a historically correct manner by member John Tinker and is truly a work of art. With the help of other members, this building has become a labor of love of reviving old buildings. Cedar roof shingles were graciously donated by Taylor Forest Products.

The annual May Breakfast has been an ongoing event that continues through it all.  It has historically been the main fundraiser and well-known event at the club.  Many in the community recall attending these breakfasts as small children, grew to be servers and cooks and now bring their young families.   Currently, the EPCC hosts several community events for fundraising and fun.  The winter months host an annual Breakfast with Santa.  It is such a popular event, it sells out within hours of announcing the date!  Dart Practice Nights culminate in a well-attended Dart Tournament and one of two Bunco Nights.  The memory of the student’s laughter and education fills the room as we come together to learn a new game and engage in playful competition. In the early fall there is the annual Hatchville Cornhole Tournament.  As we have learned, northeast Pembroke was referred to as Hatchville when the area was home to textiles and mills.

Famous People of Pembroke

 Lavina Ann Hatch (1836–1903) Educator & Suffragist was an East Pembroke native born May 20, 1836 and remembered in local history as a teacher, activist, and civic leader. A description of her life and work comes from historical records and recognition efforts by the Massachusetts legislature.

• Hatch was educated at institutions including Wheaton Female Seminary in Norton, Hanover Academy, and Partridge Academy in Duxbury and taught in local towns. She was known for rejecting corporal punishment and demonstrating a strong presence and rapport with her students.
• She taught in several neighboring towns before dedicating herself to family care, including taking in her niece and nephew after they lost their parents.
• Lavina Hatch was active in the women’s suffrage movement and was a founding member and secretary of the National Woman Suffrage Association of Massachusetts working alongside notable figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton on suffrage history and organization. She testified before Federal House Judiciary Committee in1884 and 1889.
• Beyond suffrage, she volunteered with causes including the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and war-time relief efforts.

In 2025, a bill was introduced in the Massachusetts legislature (by one of the former Presidents and EPCC member) to designate the intersection of route 53 and Congress Street Pembroke as “Lavina A. Hatch Corner” in her honor, highlighting her local impact as both an educator and activist.  

Lydia Drake (1858-1937) was known to have taught at School House #7, Lydia Drake was an influential Pembroke schoolteacher and local figure in education and community service whose legacy continues in the town.  Many are familiar with the library in her name on High Street.

• Lydia Drake lived in Pembroke and was known as a dedicated schoolteacher. She taught at the School House at the age of 18 from 1876-1914.
• Upon her death in 1937, she willed her home to the Town of Pembroke to become a library.
• This became the Lydia Drake Library, a volunteer-run branch library that remains an important community space and symbol of local history.

The library building has historic roots, with architectural and community significance preserved over the decades through volunteer efforts.   Below is a picture of Lydia Drake in front of the school house with some of the children students.

One-Room Schoolhouses in Pembroke

Pembroke like many New England towns originally relied on multiple small district schoolhouses, each serving its neighborhood. As towns modernized and consolidated schools in the early 20th century, these buildings often closed, were repurposed, or preserved by local historical societies. School House #7’s survival and ongoing community use reflect this broader pattern: rather than being demolished, it has been embraced as part of Pembroke’s heritage and community life through the members and Board of Directors of the East Pembroke Community Club.

Recent Presidents and Accomplishments

Deb Leddin Interim President: 2026-

Deb has been the life blood of the School House for over 30 years.  She was elected as Vice President in 2022 and stepped into the role when the former President resigned.  Deb has been the primary contact person for all the Rentals and organizes the club’s social calendar.  She has historically been “the woman behind the curtain” always busy behind the scenes with whatever needs to be done from organizing donations for raffles, cleaning, shopping and being the glue to the organization.  We look forward to seeing her contributions as she steps, into the spotlight.

Thomas Minisce President: 2022-2025

Tom was nominated to the BOD initially as part of the Property and Restoration Committee.  His background in contracting and building was recognized early on as a strength.  During Tom’s Presidency he contributed to signage for events, electrical updates, installed ceiling fans, improvements to the parking lot, updated heating and hot water systems (we still have the woodburning stove), Wi-Fi connection, tree removal, initiating the kitchen remodel and perhaps his most important role; Santa at the annual Breakfast with Santa.

Michele Mantz President: 2020-2022

Michele initially volunteered as a member for events, cooking breads and muffins, assisting with set-up and cleaning.  She became a BOD member, Vice President and then President.  Michele updated some of the By-laws.  She insulated the attic, installed the tin ceiling tiles, scraped and painted the exterior of the building, painted the interior of the main room, she acquired the historic era paint and a new refrigerator for the kitchen.

Steve Hermann President: the beginning of time-2020

Steve is well known to the Pembroke community as a former History teacher and civically committed to preservation and the history of the town.  In addition to his role as a current Board member and Property and Restoration Committee, he is also involved in the Pembroke Historical Society.  Steve worked with the Town government to secure the Community Preservation Grant which contributed to the new cedar roof, reglazing the original windows, he secured RF’s for the septic system and a bathroom.  This also included running hot water for the first time.  Steve has procured permits through the Town, assisted in the outdoor lighting, and most recently the oiling of the original floorboards.  He is the Master of Ceremony at the Dart Nights and Tournament as well as the Hatchville Tournament.  Steve recently held an information session on Lavina Hatch, her role in the town, as an educator and part of the suffrage movement.  He is part of the petition for a bill for Ms. Hatch to be formally recognized by the town with a plaque on route 53.