The Ripon Rabbit
Ripon, Wisconsin – On January 30, 2023, the Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the Department of Interior requesting approval for the relocation of the Little White Schoolhouse in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. The building, also known as the “Birthplace of the Republican Party,” was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
In their submission, the Chamber of Commerce provided documentation justifying the proposed move, including written and visual descriptions of the current and proposed sites, and an evaluation of the archeological potential of the new site. The reason for the proposed move was a potential loss of integrity stemming from new construction on an adjacent parcel.
The Department of Interior reviewed the proposal and determined that the proposed location at 1074 West Fond du Lac Street was not appropriate. They did not approve the move, and the property would be automatically deleted from the National Register if/when moved. If the building were to be moved to this location, the property owner would have the option to nominate the building to the National Register again, with the understanding that it must meet Criteria Consideration B at that time.
The Department of Interior noted that while the building had been moved from the location of the historic event for which it is significant, and then moved at least twice more, the location on Blackburn Street has been its home since 1951, and it was determined to retain integrity in support of its National Register listing in 1973. Its high level of integrity supported its National Historic Landmark designation in 1974.
The past setting and location of the Little White Schoolhouse at 305 Blackburn Street remained a mixture of commercial, institutional, and residential buildings today, much like the setting of the historic 1854 gathering for which it is celebrated. While the proposed new construction adjacent to the Little White Schoolhouse will have an impact on its setting, the Department of Interior determined that remaining in its current location will not threaten the integrity of the building in a manner that justifies its relocation and the resultant loss of historic integrity.
NPS DETERMINED the proposed new location at Fond du Lac Street was found to be extremely different from the current location, with a greater density of traffic, faster speed limit, and an openness that is out of scale when compared to the density of both the historic and current locations. The proposed location is not part of the historic street grid that defined the core of Ripon as it grew, but it is along a higher-speed artery that curves as it guides traffic out of town. The new location has no residential neighbors among the automobile dealerships, fast-food restaurants, hotels, and other commercial properties.
The Department of Interior noted that the Little White Schoolhouse was separately designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1974, and the proposed relocation potentially threatened that status. The proposed new location lacked the qualities needed to offset the loss of historic integrity caused by a move. Therefore, relocation of the Little White Schoolhouse could prompt formal NHL designation withdrawal proceedings for review by the Secretary of the Interior, as provided at 36 C.F.R. § 65.9.
It was discovered that the Chamber of Commerce was aware of the Department of Interior’s response nearly a month prior to the scheduled move. Their failure to disclose this information to the community raises questions about their intentions and trustworthiness. The executive director of the Chamber of Commerce could have taken action to stop the move immediately by notifying the community and halting the relocation process until further evaluation could be done.
It is highly unlikely that the Little White Schoolhouse will ever be listed or approved in its new location on Fond du Lac Street. The Chamber of Commerce’s lack of transparency and disregard for the community’s wishes has caused frustration and disappointment among many. Calls for resignations have been made, and it is clear that the community deserves leaders who are honest and transparent in their actions. It is a shame that the Little White Schoolhouse’s history and significance have been diminished due to the Chamber’s deceitful actions.
HEARTS: to EVERYONE who understands the truth and nature of the situation.
DARTS: to EVERYONE involved who canceled this information from the public until they got caught.
