he Lindamood School was first constructed for the education of local community children. The school probably began as what was known as a "subscription" school, where the parents would pay a subscription for each child they wanted to educate. In the 1870s, the State of Virginia began formal education, and the Lindamood School became State sponsored.

During the 1890s, the school had one teacher for seven grades in the one room. Each school day began at 9:00 when the teacher would ring a bell calling the children in. There was a 15 minute recess at around 10:30, lunch from noon until 1:00 and dismissal at 4:00. The school year was worked around the farming seasons, so children received only 5 months of formal education. The school year began after harvest in October and ended before Spring planting in March.

The children were seated by grades with the first year class in the front, and the seventh year class in the rear. The teacher assigned work to each class to be done at their desks as she worked with a class seated on the recitation bench in front of her desk. She would rotate the classes first through seventh each day, with variations in course for each class.

Books used by children attending the Lindamood School in the 1890s were McGuffey's Readers and Spellers, White's Arithmetic, Magill's History of Virginia, Holme's History of the United States, Worcester's Dictionary and Spencerian Copy Books. Often a slate and chalk were used for practicing writing, and learning "figures".

Although most children were eager to learn and proud of their successes at school, there were discipline problems at times. In fact, the evidence of mischievous boys and their pen knifes can still be seen today. Carved into the walls of the school are their initials, and a few holes.

Punishment was at the discretion of the teacher. For minor problems, she may have the student stand with their nose pressed against a circle she drew on the chalkboard. For more serious problems, the child could recieve a "switching," a sharp whack across the legs with a slender, supple tree limb. Paddling with a large wooden paddle was saved for the very serious offenses, and the most severe offenders were suspended.

Teachers!  Want to bring Your class to the Museum for a unique learning experience?
Click here for more information.