schoolhouse – Visit Ocean City

Shows how our ancestors were taught in the days of one-room schools.

The Mt. Zion One Room School House, formerly located on Ironshire Street in Snow Hill, was built in 1869 near Whiton, MD and used as a school until 1931.

It stood empty until Dr. Paul Cooper, Superintendent of Schools, had the building moved to Snow Hill. It was opened to the public in 1964 and has since demonstrated to students and visitors how their forebears were taught in the days of one room schools.

NOTE that this building was moved to Furnace Town in 2016.

Donations of 19th century texts and furnishings make a visit to the school a leap back in time. McGuffy readers, quill pens, inkwells slates and a water bucket are in place just as if the students had been dismissed yesterday.

Mt. Zion One Room School Museum, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland

Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum
3816 Old Furnace Road, P.O. Box 207
Snow Hill, MD 21863

This small structure was built about 100 years ago on Brantley Road on land that was purchased by William Sturgis in 1888.

Sturgis One Room School Museum, formerly known as Sturgis School, is the only African American One Room School in Worcester County retaining its original integrity. It is a small structure built about 100 years ago on Brantley Road on land that was purchased by William Sturgis in 1888.

Sturgis One Room School operated as a school for 37 years. Grades 1 – 7 were taught by one teacher until it closed its doors in 1937. At that time students were transferred to Stephen Long School in the town of Pocomoke City, Maryland.

For several years afterwards the school served as home for the aging William Sturgis. After the school was vacated by William Sturgis, it remained unattended and fell into a state of disrepair.

In 1996, a group of interested citizens, under the leadership of the Worcester County Historical Society, purchased the school from the Sturgis family and moved it to its present location in downtown Pocomoke City, Maryland.

Restoration and outfitting the Sturgis One Room School is an ongoing task of Sturgis One Room School Museum, Inc. It has been made possible through funds from Pocomoke City, Worcester County, charitable organizations, and personal contributions.

Sturgis One Room School Museum, Inc. is an organization that actively works to preserve, promote, and protect the rich cultural heritage of Sturgis One Room School and educate our youth to value the school’s cultural and historical richness.

Sturgis One Room School Museum, Pocomoke City, Worcester County, Maryland.

209 Willow Street
Pocomoke City, Maryland
410-957-1913

Click to return to the Museums of Worcester County page.

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