It’s sad when a grand old lady falls on hard times.

That’s what’s happened to the Old Dungeness Schoolhouse. The 118-year-old building at 2781 Towne Road,

Sequim, needs a paint job, now.

The paint is cracked all over and peeling in many places.

The building is the only two-story wood-frame school remaining in Clallam County. It was added to in 1921 to install central heat, plumbing and electricity.

The schoolhouse is a federal and state historical site and is the largest artifact owned by the Museum and Arts Center of Sequim-Dungeness Valley.

Since the 1930s, it has been painted all white to save money. The MAC would like to restore it to white with barn-red trim, window jambs, eaves and "belly bands" with two-color bric-a-brac on the belfry.

Once it has new paint, the MAC would like to install spotlights to show off the belfry, which houses a 450-pound bell that rings on special occasions.

Maintenance, preservation and restoration are funded solely by private donations, fundraising events and renting the building to individuals or community groups.

MAC hopes to raise the needed funds at its annual dinner and auction at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the SunLand Golf and Country Club, 109 Hilltop Drive. Tickets cost $65.

Tickets can be bought at the MAC, 175 W. Cedar St., Sequim, or by calling 681-2257.