Among the landmarks and historic buildings in Springfield, VA is an intimate and quaint — yet surprisingly accessible — reminder of what life was like almost 100 years ago.  

A Look at the Historic Sydenstricker Schoolhouse

The historic Sydenstricker Schoolhouse is one of the top historic sites and points of interest in Virginia, and while you can see it with a quick drive-by, you can also spend a few hours really exploring all of the information and education that this architectural gem has to offer. 

It’s an ideal stop for showing out-of-town guests, taking advantage of the many civic activities that take place there, or learning about the earliest days of our nation’s education system. And it’s right here in Springfield!  

Sydenstricker Schoolhouse was named in honor of the Reverend Christopher Sydenstricker, who founded the neighboring Sydenstricker Chapel, built in 1911. (Sydenstricker’s claim to fame outside of the Springfield area is his nephew, Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winning author, Pearl Sydenstricker Buck.)

The Sydenstricker Schoolhouse Burnt Down

Unfortunately, the original schoolhouse on the site, built in the late 1800s, burned down in July 1928. But a new, larger school was constructed in only 4 months, and opened to students in November of that same year. Larger is relative of course — as it remained only a single room — and still has no running water or facilities on site! Luckily, one piece of that original school building remains, however. The belfry still contains the original school-bell, which was purchased in the 1920s from a Sears store in Alexandria, and survived the fire of 1928.

The school, which taught grades kindergarten through 7th grade, was the social and educational center of the Springfield community from about 1898 (when it is believed the original schoolhouse was constructed) until 1939, when the school closed. More than just a facility for education, the schoolhouse was important to the social life of the community. And it remains so to this day.

The Upper Pohick Community League purchased the building from the Fairfax County School District in 1954 and refurbished it to look as it might during its earliest days — a quick look inside reveals early-era flags, desks, books, and even a bust of General George Washington inside.

Architecturally, the Sydenstricker Schoolhouse is important as it is the last remaining example of an early 20th century one-room schoolhouse in Fairfax County in nearly original condition and still on its original site. Except for a few minor changes, the building remains exactly as it was built.

Historically, the Sydenstricker Schoolhouse is important because it was the last one-room schoolhouse in the county built prior to consolidation, and when it closed in 1939 it was among the last operating one-room schoolhouses in Fairfax County. For those looking to understand how students learned at that time, it offers a unique real-world glimpse at that past era. 

Culturally, the Sydenstricker Schoolhouse stands as testament to its community and the many generations of people that have loved, cared for, and preserved the building. After all these years it is still a living, breathing, thriving, community center, just as it was in its heyday.

True to its history, the schoolhouse is still a hub for community activity. The Community League offers the use of the schoolhouse to non-profit community organizations for meetings at no charge, and invites others interested in using the schoolhouse for gatherings, lectures, photo-shoots or other activities.

The League also offers educational programs, like its Schoolhouse 101, that intrigue anyone that has ever wondered what it was like to attend a one-room schoolhouse. In this program, participants can gain first-hand perspective — almost like going back in a time machine — sitting at Sydenstricker’s vintage schoolhouse desks, getting a lesson from a ‘School Marm,’ and hopefully not having to wear the dreaded Dunce Cap! When the school bell rings on this one, visitors can see what it was like for children of varying ages at a one-room schoolhouse each day.

And while you can certainly stop by for a look inside almost anytime, now the Sydenstricker Schoolhouse has now renewed its donation-based Saturday session open houses. This is another chance to see the schoolhouse and learn about the interesting history of this charming little building which was once at the heart of the Springfield community.