This geocache is part of the Wayne County Bicentennial 2023 Geocaching Trail. Before heading out to find this, pick up a passport book from a local library or print one out from this link http://www.waynecounty200.com/
The Walworth Academy
In 1842 the first Academy was built of cobblestone at a cost of $4,000 near the southeast corner of Academy and High Streets. A historic marker on the property notes the Academy was incorporated in 1842; however, this date may be incorrect based on museum records noting an 1841 date. The building was divided into two departments with a qualified teacher in each area, accommodating a total of 100 students. Professor E. B. Wadsworth was in charge.
With the town growing and the success of the first school, a second Academy – a brick building three stories high - was erected east of the first Academy in 1857 at a cost of $8,000. Moses Padley donated a bell to be mounted in the tower. The original cobblestone building was then used as a boarding hall, church, residence for the principal, and the Grange Hall for Patrons of Husbandry. Children who lived in the outlying areas attended the many district school houses that dotted the countryside. However, the majority of students lived nearby or were “basket boarders” who brought food and resided with a family in town during the school week. Early in the morning, the children of the town would wake up and attend to their chores. But when the bell rang, they knew it was time for school and came running.
Mr. Padley's bell rang out across the town, calling students to school for 72 years until in 1930, the two academy buildings were torn down to make way for the new centralized highschool. The Bell that hung in the second academy tower, was placed on display outside of the highschool. The highschool closed in 1980 and the property sold. The Bell was donated to the historical society, moved across the street and put on display outside of the Walworth Museum where it remains today.
What to look for
The coordinates take you to a replica of the brick schoolhouse, outside the museum. You are looking for an ammo can discreetly hidden inside the concrete base. The metal container will be locked in place and you will be unable to remove the geocache until you find the key.
This is a field puzzle that requires some thought to solve. If you are having trouble check the hints on the cache page.
Examine the replica of the school closely and determine what is missing? Search for the missing piece and return it to where it belongs. Once you have done so, the ammo can will be unlocked and you can sign the log. You must sign the logbook to claim this as found.
Once you sign the logbook and punch your passport books, please remember to return the "key" back to where you found it and ensure that the ammo can is locked securely in place.
200 years of History
This geocache is part of the Wayne County Bicentennial. Inside you will find trade items and some swag related to the 200 year celebration. You will also find a small hole punch unique to this geocache.
This hole punch is for the passport books and not a trade item. It must remain inside the geocache. Before heading out to find this, pick up a passport book from a local library or print one out from this link
Passport books People who find 15 or more of the "WCB 2023 Geocache Trail" geocaches, and punch their passports, can redeem their passport books for a prize.
Special thanks to Gene Bavis and the members of the Walworth Historical Society for their permission to place this here and help with the information researched for the cache page.