Little White Schoolhouse, Birthplace of the Republican Party

The Little White Schoolhouse, a National Historic Landmark built in 1850, is the Birthplace of the Republican Party. 2024 marked the 170th anniversary of the historic meeting that took place on March 20, 1854. This was the first grassroots meeting by members of three existing political parties to form a new party called Republican, which ignited a national movement.

The museum contains artifacts that relate the story of that meeting and others that tell about the founding of Ripon and what school life was like for children in the 1850's. The Schoolhouse also represents the deep-seated commitment settlers in this area had to education. As such, the building itself is a valuable artifact of the character of education in our region during the Civil War era.

Motorcoach, students, and other groups can be accommodated with prior notice. Self-guided Walking Tour brochures of Historic Ripon, featuring highlights of its unique architecture, are available at the Schoolhouse or the Chamber of Commerce office, 401 Watson Street