Wardensville Graded School #1 (1898 - 1946?)

CURRENTLY OPERATING AS THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS BUILDING. ACCESS VIA DRIVEWAY.

Currently housing Veterans of Foreign Wars, this renovated building was the Wardensville Graded School. It was the first school in Wardensville and grew significantly to include students fromsurrounding areas. It was the second school in Hardy County and occupied many buildings until the current structure was built in 1898. The school overcame many obstacles during its tenure. It survived fire, lack of funding, and opposition in order to remain a source of education for the youth of Wardensville.

This is a Mountain Heritage Trails project made possible through the support of the Hardy County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area AmeriCorps program, and the West Virginia University Fulcrum Project.

Heritage Trail Project Coordinator: Shefa Nola Benoit

Researchers: Channing Carr & Shefa Nola Benoit

The history of education in Wardensville can be traced back to 1830 when the first log schoolhouse was documented. The log schoolhouse was used until 1870, when it gave way to a new building which now stands as the Presbyterian Church. 1898 brought another change and gave us what now stands as the Veterans of Foreign Wars building. This building was built with the purpose of serving as a school house for the immediate Wardensville community but slowly grew to include surrounding schools. The once two room school underwent many changes, the first occurring in 1910. Three rooms were added as rural schools began to be consolidated. "That was still not enough room for the increased number of scholars, so empty store buildings in town were rented and used as classrooms. This makeshift arrangement was used until the brick graded and high schools were erected in 1946-1950.” Consolidation, much like today, was often faced with opposition from the communities themselves. It was often done as a last resort as schools could not afford to keep their doors open.

The schoolhouse served a variety of uses for the community it served. During a state-wide push for more formal education requirements of teachers, the schoolhouse opened its doors to Glendale Normal School. Glendale Normal School offered “both academic and professional training for the profession of teaching.” Many area teachers received their training from Glendale Normal School.

On July 12th of 1928 the school had its first close encounter with closure after the neighboring Wilson homestead caught fire. While the school house caught fire several times, it narrowly escaped complete engulfment by the flames this time. The Board of Trade and the Farm's Women Club supplied funding for student tuition and teacher salary to ensure the school remained open despite a lack of funds by the Capon District Board in 1933.

The students of Wardensville Graded School benefited greatly beyond the classroom, enjoying many extracurricular activities. It housed the county’s only participating Safety Patrol Program. This AAA sponsored program helped protect children arriving and departing schools safely. During the 1930’s, students also took extra measures in the wake of wartime “carrying gas masks and learning military drills.” This program helped student learn how to be responsible, provided opportunities for peer-to-peer support and offered annual trips to Washington, D.C. Nine Wardensville natives traveled among 2,787 West Virginians to join 24 states and the Capitol in a parade and celebration. Wardensville Graded had an active 4-H chapter, as well as an athletics program that competed against other schools in Hardy County. The school year often ended with a picnic to celebrate a completed school term before students took the summer months off. The building has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post NO 2102 since 1975. They offer assistance and advocacy for Veterans.

“A Communication. Wardensville School.” Moorefield Examiner [Moorefield,WV], 4 March 1904, 4/26/2022.

“Glendale Normal News.” Moorefield Examiner [Moorefield,WV], 30 April 1914, wvnewspapers.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?t=37738,37739&i=t&d=01011837-12312021&e=glendale normalnews&m=between&ord=e1&fn=moorefield_examiner_usa_west_virginia_moorefield_19140430_english_2&df=1&dt=10. 4/26/2022.

“SchoolHouse Barley Saved.” Moorefield Examiner [Moorefield,WV], 12 July 1928, wvnewspapers.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?t=37738,37739&i=t&d=01011837-12312021&e=wardensville gradedschool&m=between&ord=e1&fn=the_moorefield_examiner_usa_west_virginia_moorefield_19280712_english_3&df=61&dt=65. 4/28/2022.

“Capon Valley Board of Trade Lauded for Wardensville Work.” Moorefield Examiner

[Moorefield,WV], 3 May 1933, wvnewspapers.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/t=37738,37739&i=t&d=01011837-12312021&e=wardensville gradedschool&m=between&ord=e1&fn=the_moorefield_examiner_usa_west_virginia_moorefield_19390517_english_1&df=21&dt=30. 4/30/2022.

“Wardensville Boys Parade at Capital.” Moorefield Examiner [Moorefield,WV], 17 May 1939,wvnewspapers.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?t=37738,37739&i=t&d=01011837-12312021&e=wardensville gradedschool&m=between&ord=e1&fn=the_moorefield_examiner_usa_west_virginia_moorefield_19390517_english_1&df=21&dt=30. 4/21/2022.

Kenna Harwood McKeever, Compiler, Wardensville, Genealogy and History, A&M 1403, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia. https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/repositories/2/resources/4672 Accessed May 03, 2022.