A piece of history was the cause for celebration this week in Vermillion, as the first permanent school house in the Dakota Territory was dedicated.  The lawn party featured a replica of the first school house, built in 1864, on the Austin-Whittemore property.  Vermillion Mayor, Jack Powell, says the history behind the school will serve future generations…

 

Ted Muenster is a member of the Clay County Historic Preservation Commission and says the replica was reconstructed with its history in mind…

 

The house includes original furnishings from the 1864 school house that Muenster says visitors can appreciate on tours given of the building.