A fruitful pecan tree stands protecting the Oldest Wooden School House for the last 250 years. The roll call handing on the door beckons you in. Enter the oldest school house at St. Augustine and revel in the past. Go to the meditation room and imagine yourself in that chamber, relax, and breathe. Walk around the classroom and find old textbooks and school supplies. Visualise sitting at the desk while the teacher stood before you in attendance. 

The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is a wooden building that served as a schoolhouse for St. Augustine as far back as 1788. Situated near the City Gates, The Old School House has an enduring look of another time. It was built with red cedar and cypress and put together with wooden pegs and handmade nails. It is encircled by a large chain, placed there in 1937, to help anchor it to the ground in case of a hurricane.

The school master had the kitchen constructed separately from the main building to be safe if there was a threat of fire. The utensils that were used in the kitchen is on display. The Old Wooden Schoolhouse was originally a home for the Genoply family who later changed it to a schoolhouse. The homestead was one story and composed of a single large room which had no electricity or plumbing. A privy was also made away from the main house with a wall built around it to ensure privacy, and a well nearby was used to draw water. The second story of the house wasn’t created until later.

Besides being the original owner, Juan Genoply also functioned as the first schoolteacher. The house was sufficient for Juan alone, but when he married and transformed the house into the first co-ed school in 1788, one room was not enough. The second story was added in order to provide Juan and his family with the privacy they needed. While his classes were taught downstairs, his family occupied the comfortable living space of the upstairs.

• The school is open every day except Christmas from 9 to 5 with extended summer hours.
• The facility features a self-guided tour with a robotic professor and student giving a brief history on the house.
• There are also numerous items with information posted around the building to read.
• Gardens located behind the house feature exhibits of the kitchen, a rebuilt outhouse, and an old well. 

• Adult: $4.95
• Student (6–12): $3.95
• Children (5 and under): Free

• By Bus Station: San Marco Visitor Ctr

• Mill Top Tavern: American
• City Perks Coffee Co: Café
• Cruisers Grill: American
• Al's Pizza: Italian

Love this? Explore the entire list of places to visit in St Augustine before you plan your trip.

Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? Check out where to stay in St Augustine and book an accommodation of your choice.