KINGSTON — The Old Kingston Schoolhouse is often empty and void of activity during the vacation months, but the building looked particularly vacant this summer with its boarded up windows.

However, it now has a fresh look with new windows and paint — just in time for the start of the Kingston Co-op Preschool classes.

“It’s pretty nice in there,” said preschool board president Greg Platz.

Eight new windows, along with sills and trim, were installed in each of the bottom floor’s two classrooms. A false ceiling in the music room was removed to allow for the installation of the windows. The building’s exterior also received a fresh coat of paint.

“We’re pretty excited and pleased,” Platz said. “We’re very thankful for all the hard work that’s been done there.”

The project was paid for out of the Kitsap County Facilities, Parks and Recreation budget, said county’s senior maintenance supervisor Dori Leckner.

The last time major work was done to the schoolhouse was the mid-1990s, she said, noting that the interior stairs were repaired and the classrooms were painted. A new roof was installed in the early 1990s.

The schoolhouse was built in 1909 by Sam Arness and was the first consolidated school in Kitsap County. It was called the Kingston School from 1909 to 1951 and is listed on the Kitsap County Register of Historic Places and Washington Heritage Register. It served as the grade school for many of the seniors living in the North End.

Today, the school is home to “Miss Debbie” Manos and her students in the Kingston Co-op Preschool, which has been operating in the building since in 1965.

School orientation is this week, with the first day of classes Monday, so Platz is happy to see the work done. He even brought ice cream sandwiches to the workers a few weeks ago to show his appreciation.

“It’s like a whole new school inside,” he said. “It will be nice this winter without holes in the window or single pane windows. No more Visqueen over the windows so kids can do the weather report.”