Charlestown — A one room schoolhouse and a former bank building, the site of a 19th-century robbery, will be open to the public on May 29 from 1-4 p.m.

A guide will be available to answer questions at both School District No. 8, 1581 Acworth Road, and the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, the former home of Connecticut River Bank​, at 20 Summer St.

The free open house is sponsored by the Charlestown Historical Society and the church.

In 1850, the former Connecticut River Bank building was the site of a notorious bank robbery, when the door to the vault was blasted open and $12,000 stolen.

The crooks were foiled in a humorous scenario, which will be shared during the open house, and the granite vault will be on display, the release said. Built in 1824, the former bank site is part of the Charlestown Main Street Historic District, which is on the National Register.

The little red schoolhouse, which is on the State Register of Historic Places, was built in 1774 and stayed in use until 1928. Much the same as it was in its earliest days, it reflects a way of life and rural education that has largely vanished, the release said.

To schedule a tour of the school on another day, call Marge Reed at 603-826-4478, or Joyce Higgins at 603-826-9726.      

 — Staff report