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 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.
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. Schoolhouse 101 is offered at no charge, but donations are appreciated.
- 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 program
our school marms
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.
Shirley Edwards is the past Director of T.O.T. Preschool located at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church. Beyond her career in early childhood education, Edwards is deeply involved in local historic preservation and community advocacy. She is also a member of the Springfield Art Guild, where she has contributed her creative talents to local community events, including public library installations for children.
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 Marms! Please contact us for more information.
Shirley Edwards is the past Director of T.O.T. Preschool located at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church. Beyond her career in early childhood education, Edwards is deeply involved in local historic preservation and community advocacy. She is also a member of the Springfield Art Guild, where she has contributed her creative talents to local community events, including public library installations for children.
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 Marms! Please contact us for more information.
