Country School: One Room - One Nation

Forest Grove School Video Project Awarded Grant from Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area

Preservationist Sharon Andresen during an interview with Fourth Wall Films, stands in front of the Forest Grove Schoolhouse.

Forest Grove School Preservation has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area to film a new interpretive video entitled, "Farms & Families of Forest Grove".

Emmy® nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films (Country School: One Room - One Nation; Lost Nation: The Ioway 1, 2&3) will document on High-definition digital video the stories of country school teachers, students and parents and the education practices at Forest Grove School No. 5 from the time it opened in1873 until it closed in 1957. Several farming generations will be represented in the video footage gathered. 

"We're excited to be working with Silos & Smokestacks, as well as Tammy & Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films on this exciting project," said Sharon Andresen, Forest Grove School preservationist. "We are looking forward to having the schoolhouse open for all to enjoy the video exhibit we will be creating. Thank you to all at Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area for supporting our project and believing in our mission!"

Forest Grove School was added to the National Register of Historic Places.  Forest Grove School Preservation is dedicated to preserving and telling the history of rural education through the historic rehabilitation of Forest Grove School No 5.  To contribute or get involved in the preservation work of Forest Grove, visit http://forestgroveschool.org.

Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in
the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Through the development of
a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA’s mission is to interpret farm life, agribusiness
and rural communities-past and present. Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area preserves and tells the story of American agriculture and its global significance through partnerships and activities that celebrate the land, people, and communities of the area.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.  To view a catalog of Fourth Wall Films' award-winning films, click HERE.

School Houses in "Country School: One Room - One Nation" Inspire Preservation

Arvonia School in Kansas is in the very early stages of preservation and appears in Country School:
One Room - One Nation.

Country School: One Room - One Nation is fast becoming a resource for one-room school house preservation efforts from New York to California.  

The Emmy-nominated documentary not only has a fan base of former country school students, teachers and historians, but receives requests from groups around the country working to generate interest in saving their own school houses.

Cramer School (1875) being moved to Stanton, Iowa.

"The documentary opens with a schoolhouse in the early stages of preservation," said director Kelly Rundle.  "And, as you learn about the significance of one-room school history, you see various examples of country school restoration success stories along the way."

Cramer School today located on the grounds of the Swedish Heritage and
Cultural Center in Stanton, IA.

"When we started production on Country School: One Room - One Nation we did not foresee the impact the documentary would have on preservation projects," said producer Tammy Rundle.  "We are thrilled that the film is inspiring these kinds of efforts.  It's really wonderful."

Filmmakers Tammy & Kelly Rundle stand outside the beautifully restored North Bend Community Center in Spragueville, Iowa.

To order the Emmy-nominated Country School: One Room - One Nation, visit http://www.fourthwallfilms.com/dvds.htm.

One-Room School Class Frozen in Time

Photo courtesy Alice Atkinson.

The photo above depicts a class in the Sumner Township one-room school between Morengo and Williamsburg, Iowa in Iowa County.  This school, like so country schools, has been torn down.

Oklahoma City One-Room School Preserved at Harn Homestead and 1889ers Museum

Thanks to photographer Lana Trussell for permission to post her beautiful photos of the Stoney Point one-room school at the Harn Homestead historic site in Oklahoma City.

According to her Flickr.com site, the sign outside the school reads as follows:

Education was a primary concern of the new Oklahomans and within six weeks of the land run, Oklahoma City boasted a school house. School buildings also served as churches, social centers, and polling places.

Stoney Point School was built in 1897 and located near present day Rose Hill Township. This "three window," one-room schoolhouse closed its doors to the last classes of all eight grades on July 16, 1947. The actual chalkboard, which was made of mud, plaster, and horse hair, can be seen in the schoolhouse today. The Stoney Point School was relocated to the Harn Homestead in 1987.

Visit Lana's website HERE:

http://www.shutterbyme.com/