ELMHURST, IL – The old school bell is ringing to invite the public to experience the historic Churchville Schoolhouse on Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for an afternoon of music, history, and fun activities during the Churchville Schoolhouse Fall Open House.
This festive fall event provides an annual opportunity for families and history fans to explore what life was like on area farms and inside the Churchville Schoolhouse, a National Register of Historic Places property built circa 1846. The day will feature musical performances by local schoolchildren, live music and dancing, and class time with the schoolmarm inside the restored one-room Churchville Schoolhouse.
Open House Schedule
Visitors of all ages are encouraged to take part in this lively celebration of local history. The schedule for the day includes:
- Lessons with the schoolmarm inside the Schoolhouse (12 and 1:20 p.m.)
- Musical performances of American folk songs by the Conrad Fischer Elementary School Singers (11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.)
- Live music by the Battlefield Balladeers performing songs and music from the Civil War era.
- Learn the Virginia Reel (12:30 p.m.) and Circassian Circle Dance (1:45 p.m.) led by the schoolmarm.
- Old-fashioned games and vintage crafts.
- Learn about early DuPage County residents buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Schoolhouse property from the Churchville Cemetery Association.
- Check out the City of Elmhurst’s vintage fire truck (weather permitting).
- Enjoy complimentary lemonade, popcorn and taffy apples.
Location and Parking Information
Churchville Schoolhouse is located just north of Elmhurst at 3N784 Church Road (just north of Grand Ave.) in Bensenville. Admission is free and free parking is available in the church parking lots on the east side of Church Road. More information is available at www.elmhursthistory.org in the Special Events section.
History of the Churchville Schoolhouse
The Churchville Schoolhouse is one of the oldest structures in DuPage County as well as one of the few remaining one-room schoolhouses in the state of Illinois still standing on its original site. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1999, it is a well-preserved example of typical mid-1800s rural schoolhouses built by local farmers and craftsmen.
The Schoolhouse sits on property which was once part of the August Fischer family farm which was deeded to Addison Township around 1846. Children from the towns now known as Elmhurst, Bensenville, and Addison attended the school until 1930. The Schoolhouse was managed by Elmhurst School District 205 from 1988 to 2001, and was used to teach history lessons to students. The City of Elmhurst took ownership in 2001, and an extensive renovation took place in cooperation with the town of Bensenville. The restoration was completed in 2010, and today the Elmhurst History Museum staff—with the support of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation—presents hands-on educational history programs to schoolchildren, scout troops, and adult groups by appointment.
The School Bell is Ringing
Head back to school at the Churchville Schoolhouse Fall Open House on Saturday, October 1. Note that this program takes place rain or shine. For more information, call the Elmhurst History Museum at 630-833-1457 or go to www.elmhursthistory.org.
The Churchville Schoolhouse is a National Register of Historic Places Property built circa 1846 and located at 3N784 Church Road (north of Grand Ave.) in Bensenville. It is owned by the City of Elmhurst and managed by the Elmhurst History Museum. Programs are available by appointment by calling the Elmhurst History Museum at 630-833-1457 or online at www.churchvilleschoolhouse.org.