One Room Schoolhouse

Celebrating a Legacy

Opened May 12, 2005, as a part of the Centennial Celebration

Improved roads; newer, larger and more efficient buses; funding challenges and the push to consolidate schools all contributed to the demise of the once highly cherished one room school. One room schoolhouses across the United States served not only as places to teach children reading, writing and arithmetic; but as a community gathering place for business meetings and social events. Almost all of us have relatives who attended a one room school, and many still know folks who once taught there.

Generations of highly successful and industrious individuals graduated (usually from the 8th grade) from one room schools where they studied alongside classmates of all ages, abilities and personalities. They learned from each other as well as from the teacher, whose additional duties commonly included cook, custodian and nurse.

To celebrate this legacy of learning that took place prior to the evolution of more highly diversified approaches over the past 100 years and to commemorate the Missouri State Centennial, the College of Education has sponsored the construction of a 1905 era replica of the one room schoolhouse. Located just west of Greenwood Laboratory School, this structure will serve as a living museum which includes authentic furniture, fixtures and artifacts typical in schools circa 1905. These period artifacts have been donated by Missouri State alumni and friends who share in the nostalgia and sentimentality associated with their schooling throughout the Ozarks, rural Missouri and beyond.

The school will be more than just a symbol of the past. It will be made available to the Missouri State community and to the general public for their use. Scheduling of events will be coordinated by the Greenwood Laboratory School general office staff. Please feel free to contact Greenwood to schedule a meeting, hold a class, plan a reception, or just to visit or take a tour. We invite you to help us celebrate our legacy of learning.