The Wheatland Schoolhouse, Reimagined

Some buildings wait patiently for the right people.

In a quiet stretch of Churchville, New York—where farmland opens wide and the pace never quite rushes—the Wheatland Schoolhouse has stood since 1867. Once a one-room school serving six or seven farming families, it later became an economy apartment, then a long-neglected rental, slowly slipping into disrepair. Lowered ceilings hid its volume. Vinyl windows dulled its presence. Squirrels made themselves at home. Time, mostly, took over.

When James found it, the schoolhouse was less a dream than a commitment. He was thirty, looking for a project, and willing to take on something that most people would walk away from. It would become his biggest undertaking—one that eventually pulled Nicholas into its orbit, both personally and creatively.

A Long Way Back

The Wheatland Schoolhouse was the third building to stand on that township site, and it carried the weight of its years. Decades of neglect had left their mark—damaged floors, poor insulation, invasive wildlife, and rot hidden behind the walls. What remained wasn’t precious so much as vulnerable, requiring careful attention rather than cosmetic fixes.

James led the demolition and general contracting himself. As the interior was taken back to its bones, it became clear that nothing original could be saved. Floors were resupported, insulation replaced entirely, and a large tree removed. Even the structure itself needed reinforcement, with metal cables threaded through the loft floor to help keep the building intact.

Nicholas joined the project as they were dating, stepping into the work as the rebuild took shape. What followed was less a renovation than a thoughtful reconstruction—one shaped by patience, problem-solving, and a deep respect for the building’s history and role in the community. Neighbors who remembered the schoolhouse in its most neglected years watched it slowly return, transformed from something overlooked into something cared for again.

The cost of the work ultimately rivaled the purchase price itself. But this was never about shortcuts or surface-level solutions. Every decision responded directly to the condition of the building, prioritizing longevity, soundness, and integrity over speed.
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Holding the Line on History

From the road, the Wheatland Schoolhouse still reads clearly as what it has always been.

Nicholas and James were intentional about preserving that recognition. They removed years of added “cottage” elements—plastic shutters, decorative distractions—and allowed the original brickwork to come forward again. The historic marble plaque was protected and left unobscured. Landscaping was used to quietly screen modern life, keeping the focus on the structure itself.

That clean slate became an opportunity rather than a loss.

Inside, a New Chapter

With no original interior elements to preserve, the design shifted inward with clarity and restraint. The interior is modern, calm, and grounded—meant to function as a real home rather than a temporary stay.

Italian mid-century dining chairs sourced from Brimfield sit alongside an Indian wedding table, reimagined as a banquette. Pieces feel chosen, not styled. Practical, but full of character. The layout prioritizes light, proportion, and quiet moments—spaces designed to be lived in, not passed through.

Despite its rural setting, the house feels gently insulated from the outside world. Light moves through the space in a way that still reflects its original purpose, giving mornings a particular softness that feels unforced.

Honoring History

‍The Wheatland Schoolhouse No. 7 is recognized by the Landmark Acknowledgment Society, a testament to its importance in Monroe County’s architectural and community heritage. When James Arlington purchased the building in 2021, it required extensive restoration, and he approached the project with patience and commitment. Nicholas Roes joined the effort, bringing a creative eye and a deep respect for the schoolhouse’s story. Together, they carefully reinforced the structure, removed decades of unsympathetic alterations, and reimagined the interior for modern living—returning the schoolhouse to use while honoring its original character. Their work ensures the building remains a functional, cherished part of the community, bridging past and present with care and intention.

A Building, Returned

What defines the Wheatland Schoolhouse today isn’t just its design—it’s the care behind it. The work was slow, hands-on, and deeply considered. Neighbors watched a familiar building come back to life, transformed from something overlooked into something quietly admired again.

“It is very peaceful and quiet… you can tell it was a school because of the way it’s oriented to the light… You’re just kind of stuck in time out there.”
— Nicholas Roes

Where there was once neglect, there is now intention. Where ceilings once pressed down, there is space—and light. The schoolhouse hasn’t been reinvented; it has been returned, thoughtfully and with respect. And sometimes, that’s where the real beauty lives.

With two bedrooms, two full baths, and space to sleep four comfortably, the Wheatland Schoolhouse is available to book directly. No platforms, no layers—just a thoughtful stay, shared as it was meant to be experienced.

Explore availability → https://disruptor-3fe224.webflow.io/properties/wheatland-schoolhouse-no-7

Photography by Nicholas Roes. Remodel by James Arlington and Nicolas Roes. Images courtesy of the homeowner.