History of the school Oldest Wooden School House

Initially, the Oldest Wooden School House building was an ordinary residential building owned by Juan Genopoli. The first documentary information about him is dated 1716 year and are in the tax archive. It is likely that the school building was built much earlier, since Florida was a colony of Spain, and officials were registering very slowly.

The material for the future school was the cypress tree and red cedar. Instead of nails, wooden stakes were used to fasten the logs. The building lacked basic amenities: water, sewage, electricity and even a kitchen. At that time, food was cooked in a separate building to minimize the possibility of fire.

Teaching children was the sole teacher of the school and at the same time the owner of the house Juan Jinopoli. When he got married, the newlyweds settled on the second floor, and classes began to be held in a small room on the first floor.

Currently in the old school of the United States operates a museum. Its main exhibit is the building itself, which has stood for more than 200 years. The interior of the room is preserved in the spirit of the XVIII century. Here you can see copies of school notebooks and books of the time. Visitors are invited to view three rooms: a classroom, a storage room and a freestanding kitchen. For full penetration into the atmosphere of the past years, dummies of students, teacher, cook were made.

In the courtyard there is a beautiful garden and many modern sculptures. The main attraction is the old bell, preserved from past times, and served as a school bell. Visitors are allowed to call him. You can examine the old building by sitting on one of the cozy benches. On the territory of the school-museum there are many busts depicting the famous enlighteners of South America, which were donated to the museum by the state. At the exit of the museum there is a small shop selling souvenirs.

Other sights and hotels near the school museum

Visiting the building of the school museum, tourists can see other attractions and visit the memorial sites located nearby.

• Pirate & Treasure Museum - Museum of pirates and treasures.
• 18th Century Colonial Quarter - Spanish Colonial Quarter.
• Potter's Wax Museum is a pottery wax museum.

If you decide to stay in the city of St. Augustine, then the American Butler agency is ready to find you accommodation that meets all the requirements and wishes. Not far from the school-museum there are many hotels with different price categories and quality of accommodation.