Freeman School, Beatrice, Gage County, NE

Significance: The Freeman School was built in 1871 of brick, said to have been made on an adjacent farm. It is regarded as the oldest continually operated school in Nebraska (1872-1967), and was used occasionally as a community meeting hall and as a church. In 1899 Daniel Freeman objected to religious exercises in the school, pursuing his objection to the Nebraska Supreme Court, which found the district in violation of the state constitution.
Survey number: HABS NE-22
Building/structure dates: 1871 Initial Construction