Country Schools
Preservation Iowa is dedicated to preserving the buildings and stories of rural schools in Iowa. Rural one-room schoolhouses are iconic symbols of Iowa’s educational past, representing a time when education was deeply rooted in small, close-knit farming communities. These schools were widespread throughout the state from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, serving as the primary means of educating children in rural areas where population density and transportation limitations made larger schools impractical.
Typically, a single teacher would instruct children of various ages and grade levels all together in one room. The schoolhouse often functioned as more than just a place for learning. It was a community hub where neighbors gathered for social events, meetings, and celebrations. These schools were usually modest frame buildings, often located near farms and small rural crossroads.
The curriculum in one-room schools was basic but comprehensive for its time, focusing on reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and geography, with an emphasis on practical skills and moral education. Students would often help with chores around the school, and older children sometimes assisted younger ones, fostering a sense of responsibility and community.
Over time, advancements in transportation, population shifts, and changes in educational philosophy led to the consolidation of many one-room schools into larger, centralized school districts. By the mid-20th century, most rural one-room schoolhouses in Iowa had closed, though many remain preserved as historic sites or museums.
Today, these preserved one-room schools provide valuable insights into early rural education and community life. They serve as tangible reminders of Iowa’s agricultural heritage and the commitment of its residents to education despite challenges. Several schools have been converted into museums and educational centers, where visitors can explore authentic classrooms, original furnishings, and artifacts, gaining a firsthand understanding of the evolution of education in Iowa. Through these preserved sites, the stories of generations of students and teachers come to life, helping current and future generations appreciate the foundations of the state’s educational system.
Country School: One Room—One Nation
Preservation Iowa sponsored a documentary on country schools, Country School: One Room – One Nation. The one-hour documentary was produced over a three-year period by Fourth Wall Films, an independent award-winning film company operated by Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Moline, Illinois.
Center for Rural Schools
The Center for the History of Rural Iowa Education and Culture (CHRIEC), of the University of Northern Iowa Museum, is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and dissemination of unique and rare materials documenting America’s rural school system and culture with particular emphasis on Iowa and the Midwest. Visit https://museum.library.uni.edu/center-rural-schools for additional information on their initiatives and resources.
Country School Grant Program
This grant program through the Historical Resource Development Program of the State Historical Society of Iowa offer up to $5,000 in grant funding to support the preservation and maintenance of a one-room or two-room country school in Iowa. Grant funds may be used for physical preservation efforts and also for historical interpretation and educational activities related to the school’s history. Priority will be given to projects that include a strong educational component. Additional information is online at https://history.iowa.gov/resources/grants/country-school-grant-program.
Iowa One Room Schools Blog
Glenn and Jill Chatfield have been touring eastern Iowa and documenting Iowa’s one-room country schools during their travels. Visit the Iowa One Room Schools blog to see some great schoolhouse photos and find out the current state of Iowa’s country schools.
Country School Conference
For many years, Preservation Iowa sponsored an annual Iowa country school conference featuring speakers from across the country, under the leadership of past board member Bill Sherman. Plans are underway to revitalize this significant conference with new partners. Please contact Preservation Iowa if you are interested in assisting with this conference.
Images from this conference (photos courtesy Don Wentworth and Bill Sherman
Country School Directory
In the early 2000s, Preservation Iowa spearheaded efforts to collect information on rural schools through a statewide survey effort, which was funded in part by a grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Iowa Community Cultural Grant Program. The information came from surveys that were voluntarily filled out and returned, so rural schools may exist that do not appear in this inventory. While there are many other schools remaining on the landscape, this directory focused on those schools being preserved as museums. The schools are organized by region (Western, Central, Eastern), and then alphabetically by county and township school name (e.g. Newport #3), where available. The parent organization is listed under the name of the school. The years listed after the school name are the time period depicted at the museum. Schools with a narrower time period normally give more focused and accurate information. This legacy directory is provided to preserve this important past initiative. Information has not been recently verified or updated, so please check with online resources prior to any visits to these sites.