Schoolhouse 101 Program

Have you ever wondered what it was like to attend a one-room schoolhouse? 
 
Visit our very own "time machine", and go back to a simpler era.  Sit at vintage schoolhouse desks, and get a lesson from our very own “School Marm”.  Hear the school bell ring, and see what children did at school every day. 
 
The historic Sydenstricker Schoolhouse was built in 1928 to replace an earlier schoolhouse that had been on the site since about 1897 that burned down.  It was the last one-room schoolhouse constructed in Fairfax County, and represents an important piece of our community's history.  Although the schoolhouse operated from 1928 - 1939, our program will touch on the interesting history of one-room schoolhouses going back to the beginnings of public education in Virginia.

A Typical Schoolhouse 101 Program

Our program lasts about one hour.  Groups may contact us in advance to incorporate their own curriculum.  We encourage parents/teachers to prepare and present their own short lessons.  Program may vary based on age and grade level of students. 
 
· Opening Ceremony:  Pledge of allegiance, and discussion of the 48-star flag.  Sing “America”.  Read and discuss the “thought for the day”.
 
· Three 8-10 minute lessons in Reading, Arithmetic and Science, tailored to the grade level of students.  Varied age groups provide the opportunity to demonstrate how older students assisted younger students.  Longer programs, if requested, may include penmanship, elocution, geography and history.
 
· Recess:  Students remain in the schoolhouse, and the teacher will discuss toys, games and activities which students at that time would have recognized. 
 
· Lunch:  Students will be shown examples of typical lunches of the period.
 
· We’ll point out the privy (outhouse), and discuss how handwashing was done without running water.  We’ll discuss the invention of the Dixie cup to help prevent the spread of disease.
 
· We will talk about how the schoolhouse was heated, and how it was lit without electricity.
 
· Students will be encouraged to compare and contrast how school is the same and different today.
 
· Question & Answers
 
· Dismissal

Our Schoolhouse 101 “School Marm”

Kathleen Pablo is a retired educator and has been involved with the schoolhouse for many years as a board member of the Upper Pohick Community League and Friends of  Sydenstricker Schoolhouse.  As an original member of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Board of Directors and Chair of its Speakers Committee she presents suffrage history in lectures throughout the region. She serves on the board of the League of Women Voters and numerous civic,  educational and church organizations.   Kathleen is also a visiting speaker for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University.

Want to help?

Are you an educator (or retired educator), or someone who enjoys history?  We are looking for people interested in helping us with our program, developing our curriculum, or training to be one of our wonderful School "Teachers"! 
 
Please contact us for more information. 

Schedule your visit!

This is a free program (however donations are appreciated). Groups are limited to 10 people per visit (except by special accommodation) with social distancing enforced.  Masks will be required for all attendees.  Adult group leaders are required, and will be held responsible for the behavior of their group and for any damage to the historic building. 
 
Contact us to schedule your trip back in time!  Groups of all ages are welcome.  We will coordinate your program based on the age range and size of your party.

info@sydenstrickerschoolhouse.org
We wish to extend our gratitude to the families who have shared their photos with us for this page.  Thank you!