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Historic African-American Schoolhouses of Hardy County, WV
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PRIVATE PROPERTY. EXERCISE CAUTION AS YOU OBSERVE FROM THE ROAD.

Run School was one of five African American schoolhouses in Hardy County and one of three that were located in Moorefield. It was built in 1867 and operated until 1950.

In its prime, Run School had well-oiled floors and a coal-burning stove in the middle of the room. The school day was from 8:45 AM until 3:45 PM and offered instruction in arithmetic, reading, spelling, language, health, history, geography, handwriting, and social studies. Run School had their own library with an impressive 136 volumes for their students . Students also participated in 4-H and Junior Red Cross. 

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

Researcher: Shefa Nola Benoit


Run School

Sky, Cloud, Plant, Land lot

Run School

Sky, Plant, Tree, Cloud

In 1867, the Board of Education purchased the Run School property for the purpose of education for $150.00 . Run school originally began as a 1st - 8th grade school. After Wallace School was constructed (school no longer extant), Run School taught Primer to 4th grade while Wallace School taught 5th to 8th grade.

Within its small structure, Run School had well-oiled floors, a coal-burning stove, a library, a kitchen, and a cook. Students could pack their lunch or eat at school. Wallace School did not have a kitchen so students packed their lunch or went home for eat.

Neither Run nor Wallace Schools had playground equipment. Students entertained themselves by playing games with classmates. 

A typical day started started at 8:45 AM with devotions, the Pledge, and singing songs like Ol’ Black Joe and Swanee River. Students received instruction a wide range of subjects including arithmetic, reading, spelling, language, health, history, geography, handwriting, and social studies. They also had access to a 136 volume library. 

Inside, there was a ceramic blue and white water cooler in the back of the room and a coat rack along one wall. Each desk had a hole for an ink well and students used a wooden fountain pen. There was no electricity in the early days, that didn't come until later. School programs were usually held at the nearby Ashbury United Methodist Church.

The school closed in 1950 when both Run and Wallace schools consolidated into Saunders School.