Poetry

Spencer, WV has one of the few remaining one room schools, preserved in the downtown area as a museum piece and open on most occasions for you to walk around; it's a very short walk, indeed!

Click the link for more information about the Spencer, WV One Room School.

Helen E. Middleton wrote this poem:

COUNTRY SCHOOLHOUSE

Do you have a little red schoolhouse
safe in your memory,
With an iron stove and an outside pump
and a shady apple tree?

There were well-carved desks and water
pail and many shaggy books,
A round world globe, a few rough shelves…
at the back, a row of hooks.

A long black stovepipe ran the length
of the rudely finished room
And a coal-oil lamp on a swinging chain
helped dispel the gloom.

A blackboard graced the whole front
wall; there was always lots of chalk.
You used a slate and your pencil
squeaked and no one dared to talk.

The modern schools are large and grand
and beautiful to see,
But how many love the country school
treasured in memory?