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Reading, Writing, and Peppercorns: Inside Lyndhurst’s Little Red Schoolhouse

Along Riverside Avenue in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, three historic structures stand within a stone’s throw of one another. Together, they tell the story of early education in Bergen County.

Two of these buildings—the Jacob Van Winkle House and the Jeremiah Yearance House—provide the context, but the star of the show is the River Road School, affectionately known as the “Little Red Schoolhouse.” Topped with a cupola and bell, it is the quintessential image of 19th-century American education.

The Rent Was One Peppercorn

The schoolhouse you see today is actually the third to stand on this site. The story begins in 1804, back when this area was known as “New Barbadoes Neck.”

That year, Jacob Van Winkle donated the land for the school. His own home, a 1797 Dutch sandstone structure located just a block away, still stands today as the oldest home in Lyndhurst (now housing a Masonic Club).

The lease for the school land was unique: the rent was set at “one peppercorn, if demanded.” The community raised $162.20 to build the first school. It stood until 1849, when it was replaced by a two-story building.

The 1893 Schoolhouse

By 1893, the 1849 building was outdated. It was torn down and the lumber sold to a Mr. Conley for $35.00. That same year, the current River Road School was constructed for $2,541.83.

While the building was new, they kept one important piece of history: the cupola and bell from the 1849 school were salvaged and placed atop the new structure.

Architectural Details:

• The Vestibule: The front entrance features a cloakroom where students hung their coats before entering the single classroom.
• The Windows: The side walls feature three tall, four-over-four windows. Before electricity, these were essential for lighting the students’ work.
• The Layout: Like most one-room schools, the room was typically divided by gender—boys on one side, girls on the other—with a single stove providing heat in the winter.

The Teacher’s Commute

Next door to the school stands the Jeremiah Yearance House (c. 1841). This home is a crucial part of the school’s history.

In the 19th century, commuting was difficult. Teachers often lived too far away to travel back and forth daily by train or carriage. Consequently, the Yearance House often served as a boarding house for the teachers during the school week, allowing them to walk next door to work.

Hidden History Behind the Boards

The River Road School served the district for nearly a century, finally closing its doors to students in 1980.

In 1984, the Township purchased the building and began restoring it as a museum. During the renovation, workers removed the “modern” chalkboards that had been installed over the years. Underneath, they found a time capsule.

The original, older blackboards were still there, and they still had drawings on them! Preserved in chalk were illustrations of Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, likely drawn by a teacher in the 1930s. The Historical Society carefully conserved these drawings with a protective coating, and they remain on the walls today—a ghostly and charming reminder of the children who once sat there.

If You Visit

Today, the Lyndhurst Historical Society operates the schoolhouse as a museum. One side of the room features changing exhibits on local history, while the other side is set up as a classroom circa 1900.

• Location: 400 Riverside Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071.
• Don’t Miss: The original bell rope. Visitors are often allowed to ring the 1849 bell!
• Status: Open on select Sundays and for special events.

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For More Information

Lyndhurst Historical Society (www.lyndhursthistoricalsociety.org)