Photo by Jennifer Vazquez

By Jennifer Vazquez / Reporter

LYNDHURST (Feb. 18, 2010) — There stands a structure in Lyndhurst, which seems almost out of place and yet holds its own amid the modernization of its surroundings. A small structure that seems taken from a children’s fairy tale. A structure that seems to have traveled through time.

The Little Red Schoolhouse, as it is known today, sits on the bustling corner of Riverside and Fern avenues. It captivates passersby with its charming and quaint architecture and deep red color.

The structure has stood the test of time, with a bit of help, of course.

According to Sylvia Kleff, Lyndhurst’s town historian and president of the local Historical Society, throughout the past couple of years, aside from the grand renovation that the school went through when the Lyndhurst Historical Society declared it a historic sight, the building has been a restorative work in progress. It has been painted and had its shutters replaced, among other tweaks and adjustments.

“Just last summer the outside was painted again,” Kleff said.

But no matter the new improvements of the schoolhouse, this neighborhood staple wears its history on its sleeve — for all to view.

The original school opened its doors in 1804. The total cost? $162.20.

The second school on the site was built in 1849. It had two floors, and served as the workplace for one employed teacher. The first floor was used as a classroom, while the second floor was leased to a local church for Sunday school.

It was not until 1893 that the two-floor school was removed and the school that one sees today was built for the total sum of $2,250.

Few things have changed since this one-room school opened. Since the very start, the official name of the school was River Road School and the predecessor of that eye-popping red color that dresses its exterior walls was a shade of yellow.

“I hate to say it, but it was the ugliest shade of mustard yellow,” exclaimed Kleff. “It wasn’t until 1954 that the school was painted red.”

The structure’s rich, red exterior walls with beautiful ivory trimmings and original 1874 bell and cupola is surpassed only by the plentiful history lessons that visitors encounter when they walk through its doors.

Joan Waltman, chairman of the Docents and former president and treasurer of the Lyndhurst Historical Society, recalled her time as a kindergarten and first-grade student at River Road School during the 1930s.

“Times were different then, and when I attended this school, kindergarten and first grade were together,” recalled Waltman. “If you could do certain things in a short time the teacher would already promote you to the first grade.”

Stepping foot into this one-room wonder takes visitors back in time. There is no shortage of pictures and relics from the past that are on display and adorn the interior.

There is a permanent display on the “Kingsland Explosion” — an historical factory fire that occurred in Lyndhurst’s industrial district in 1912. This year’s temporary display has a theme of weddings throughout time. Guests can view original bridal gowns and pictures that date as far back as the late 1800s.

Visitors can also come face to face with important and rare remnants of the school’s history, including documents that have survived decades.

One of the most important pieces of historical items is the original deed of the property. It was in 1804 when Jacob Van Winkle, the proprietor of much land in what is now Lyndhurst, donated a piece of land to the school trustees for the sole purpose of having a school built. The proposed lease was one peppercorn per year.

“He wanted the land to always be used for educational purposes,” said Kleff. “We are keeping that promise to this day. That is why we are now a museum.”

An interesting document on display was found in an old minute book from the Union Township Board of Education. According to Kleff, it seems that at one point a teacher who sought some sort of punishment for students who misbehaved had them log in the day, their wrongdoing and their name in the back pages of the book. One such inscription, written in a young child’s penmanship, dated Sept. 27, 1905, reads:

“I was sent from River Road School because I was bad. I will be better.”

—Horace Bogle

Kleff assured that this youngster turned out just fine. “He became mayor of Lyndhurst,” said Kleff. “And held that position for 19 years.”

The most compelling display is the section of the schoolhouse set up to look like a classroom from decades ago, complete with mannequins in era attire and a “dunce” corner. There is an original 1899 Ruckstuhl Piano, school desks with a place for inkwells and a heating stove dating to the turn of the century. All of the objects were donated to the schoolhouse and are on display for guests to view.

The accompanying teacher’s desk is actually an original piece.

Countless pictures and a few authentic report cards are on display as well. Items found within the walls of the school when it was renovated, ranging from a Christmas card for a teacher to colored sticks to math flash cards to someone’s bank account book, are also on display.

Not only are the blackboards originals, but there are also authentic drawings on a couple of the boards, including one of the Three Bears, near the entrance.

“At one point, when the school was used for children with disabilities,” explained Waltman, “some blackboards were covered, and with them whatever was on them. Years later, during the restoration, the blackboards were uncovered and we found the little drawings that were done.”

They have since been covered with lacquer to preserve them.

The schoolhouse served as a classroom for special-education students during the 1950s. After that, the school was in use until 1980 — the last group to utilize it being a third-grade class from Franklin School.

“Apparently, the group of third-graders was the largest group in the school,” explained Kleff. “They needed more room for these students so they also used this school.”

The Lyndhurst Board of Education later deemed that the third-graders attending the one-room schoolhouse needed to interact with other children and it was then that they closed down the school, according to Kleff.

“This schoolhouse is a treasure,” said Waltman. “There are other one-room schoolhouses around the country, but they closed down in the ’20s, maybe ’30s. This one is unique in that it was still used up to the late 20th century.”

The importance and rarity of this schoolhouse, and the underlining hope of preserving it, is the reason why in 1984 the Lyndhurst Historical Society was founded, explained Kleff.

The schoolhouse is able to function, not only as the Society’s headquarters, but also as a museum, solely on donations.

Every year there are events to help sponsor the schoolhouse. During June, the Strawberry Festival takes place.

“We usually have it in the school’s backyard,” said John Deveney, former president of the Historical Society. “There are antique items for sale and refreshments. Sometimes we provide vendors. It’s a fun day for the community.”

According to Deveney, in October, the Historical Society holds a Harvest Festival where refreshments and fall items are available. There is usually a raffle of some kind and some years reenactments take place.

“We’ve had reenactments from groups,” added Waltman. “They usually have to do with the Revolutionary and Civil War. But one year we did have medical teams showing us what they would have done (years ago) for medical care.”

This year marks the 21st Night at the Races, a preservation race that recognizes two honorees and their contributions to the community. It is a $100-per-plate event and the Society’s most important and lucrative evening, according to Deveney. It will take place April 29.

All the money from the gift shop, set up inside the schoolhouse, is also part of the fund-raising efforts. Visitors can buy plates, pencils, shirts, books, pens and other souvenir items ranging from 35 cents to $20.

The schoolhouse is owned by the Township of Lyndhurst, but leased and managed by the Lyndhurst Historical Society. According to Kleff, the lease that is now in order is $1 ... for 25 years.

According to Waltman, the importance of preserving this little structure will hopefully enrapture future generations of children and adults alike.

“The main thing is this idea of teaching future generations about educational needs of American citizens over the years,” explains Waltman. “But it is the idea that history is so important if we are to learn from the past, both positive and negative, and hopefully, focus on the positive, that makes the Little Red Schoolhouse so important to the community.”

The Little Red Schoolhouse is open the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Group tours can be arranged at any time by calling 201-804-2513.

— Contact Jennifer at 201-438-8700

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