WATERMAN — The Associated Club of Waterman is staging its third annual root-beer float event at the old Waterman Schoolhouse, 5785 Hillcrest E., on June 10.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Janet Hane, an official with the club, said the event has been organized to raise awareness in the South Kitsap area about the schoolhouse, which was built in 1912.

“We have members of the association who went to school there,” Hane said. “We want the community to know that the building is still here.”

The building became empty in 1947 after a school district was formed in the area. As elementary schools were built, area children left the schoolhouse and transferred to the new schools. In 1949, Hane said some old Swedish settlers decided the building was too valuable to sit empty, so they formed the Waterman Community Club, which used it for events.

Hane said the association was formed for its preservation. The building is rented out during the year for events and activities. Proceeds from the rentals are used to keep the building in good condition.

“We have an annual income of between $4,000 and $4,500 each year,” she said. “This past year, we had to tear down a partition wall between the men’s and women’s restrooms. That cost us $3,000.”

The rent also goes toward paying taxes on the two and one-half acres of land on which the building sits. The building itself it tax-exempt.

“It’s a grand old building,” Hane said. “The association members will be there at the event and if people want to stop by, we’ll talk to them about the building, how old it is and what it’s used for. It has a marvelous history. The floors inside are original, as is the furniture.”