An Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA) marker will be placed in the front lawn of historic Ransom School at 717 N. Academy Street at 2:00 o'clock next Sunday afternoon (6/12/2016).

Rutherford County APTA President Bonnie Nemeth explained, "The Eliza Ransom Private School for children ages 6 to 12 operated from about 1900 to 1930 at Eliza's and her sister Belle's residence on North Academy Street. The sisters covered the reading, writing and arithmetic basics in their school as well as instilled a moral code into their students. Most of the students were male but some girls attended over the years."

Because of the superior education they received at the Eliza Ransom Private School, many students were able to skip a grade or two once they entered middle school. Some former students became top civic leaders and community members.

It is uncertain when the Ransom house was built, but local historians believe the brick home was probably built after the Civil War. The old house deteriorated over the years after the school was closed.

Local historian C.B. Arnette, who attended Ransom School for several of his elementary school years, bought the former home and school in about 2008 and began restoring it. He was not able to complete the project, however, because of health problems. He died in October 2010 at the age of 92.

The Arnette family donated the land and buildings on Academy Street to the Rutherford County Historical Commission in 2011.

The former private Ransom School building now provides storage for the historical society's publications and book collection. The society also offers access to the collection for those wishing to do research and offers tours of the 1920s classroom and the building itself. The tours are currently available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and at other times upon request. The group also has publications for sale at the historic house and museum.
For more information on the Ransom School marking and the APTA call local APTA President Bonnie Nemeth at 615-427-3790.