Van Cortlandtville Historical Society
Van Cortlandtville Historical Society
Where History Comes Alive
The Van Cortlandtville Historical Society was founded in 1921 and has been headquartered in
The Little Red Schoolhouse since 1972. We are 102 years old this year!
The Society began conducting its Early School Days program at the Schoolhouse in 1975. This program enables local fourth-graders to experience a morning or afternoon of classroom life in the 1840s. Costumed historians join the students' regular teachers in conducting classes, including a spelling bee.
Our regular meetings, at 2 p.m. at the Schoolhouse on the third Saturday of each month, feature a variety of speakers and presentations that extend far beyond our primary emphasis on early education and the rich Revolutionary War history of our community. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
Our meeting place has a rich historical past. In the 19th century, The Little Red Schoolhouse served as a one-room schoolhouse, first for boys, then for boys and girls, its pupils ranging from kindergarteners to eighth graders. Functioning without electricity, it drew on window light and oil lamps, and on a wood-burning stove for heat. Outhouses were located at the rear of the structure.
The school served District 10 until 1935, but was called back into use as a kindergarten between 1952 and 1972. In 1989, its contributions were recognized when it was listed on the New York State and then the National Register of Historic Places.
If you are a part of a group that would like to visit the schoolhouse, contact the Historical Society at (914) 736-7868 and leave a message please.
Location:
297 Locust Avenue
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567-1308
From the south: U.S. Route 9 north to Bear Mountain State Parkway. Follow parkway about one mile to Division Street exit. At bottom of ramp, turn left onto Division Street (which becomes Oregon Road) and go about one mile to Locust Avenue (traffic light). Turn right onto Locust. Schoolhouse is on the left, just past the cemetery.
From the north: U.S. Route 9 south around Annsville traffic circle and across Annsville Creek bridge to traffic light. Turn left at light onto Bear Mountain State Parkway. Continue as above.
From the west: Cross the Bear Mountain Bridge and follow U.S. Route 6 east about 3.5 miles to Annsville traffic circle. Continue as above.
From the east: Taconic State Parkway to U.S. Route 202 or U.S. Route 6. Follow Route 202 west about three miles. At traffic light just past the bowling alley, bear right onto Bear Mountain State Parkway. Go a half-mile to Locust Avenue. Turn right, follow Locust across Route 6 (traffic light) and continue one mile. Schoolhouse is on the right, just before the cemetery. OR: Follow Route 6 west from the Taconic about four miles to Locust Avenue (traffic light). Turn right onto Locust and continue as above.