Schoolhouse Airbnb offers a unique and educational stay.
The Kearneysville Schoolhouse, which educated hundreds of elementary school children for roughly six decades, is now educating—and accommodating—a new generation. Through a unique Airbnb experience, the Kearneysville Schoolhouse offers travelers a cozy, historical stay that feels like stepping back in time.
Located outside Shepherdstown in the hamlet of Kearneysville, the schoolhouse is situated behind a post office and a bank. Set back from the road, the school-turnedvacation rental offers a private yet easily accessible setting. As guests arrive on the property, they can see the quaint structure’s stone facade. The arched entryway leads into a spacious classroom equipped with periodappropriate furnishings, such as a teacher’s desk, as well as modern comforts like a smart TV and Keurig coffee maker.
Inside this Jefferson County schoolhouse, guests can read more about the history of the property. The school educated hundreds of students through 1971, but records vary on the date of its initial construction, placing it in either the late 1890s or the early 1900s. After the school closed, part of the building was used as an office for an asphalt company, and the remainder was renovated into a home. Patty Donnelly and her husband, Mike, acquired the schoolhouse in 2019 with dreams of bringing a part of history back to life.
“We tried to bring it back to how it looked originally,” she says. “When it was renovated into a home, the ceilings were dropped and the tops of the windows were boarded up in three of the four classrooms. But one classroom was untouched, which is what we turned into a vacation rental.”
While the structural integrity remained, the furnishings and adornments did not. The Donnellys have since acquired evocative additions, including a real slate chalkboard, a teacher’s desk, a farmhouse sink, and an old coal stove. The duo has also collected vintage games, like ninepins, chess, marbles, and jacks, as well as historical school books, art, and maps to elevate the nostalgic feel of the property. Even the bathroom fits the theme with Norman Rockwell artwork. Donnelly says patience and a watchful eye on Facebook Marketplace have helped bring her vision to life.
“Mike and I have been fixer-uppers most of our lives,” she says. “He has done much of the work. We both enjoy seeing the potential in something and wanting to restore or improve it.” The Donnellys live nearby, so when the schoolhouse came on the market, they saw a new project and a business opportunity. They moved into the schoolhouse and renovated it while they lived there. “I’m a homeschool mom, so I thought it would be a fun family adventure to fix up the house and learn about it while preparing it to become an Airbnb.”
In instances where original fixtures couldn’t be used, the Donnellys have tried to repurpose them. For example, the headboard of the king bed is actually a door to one of the classrooms. They have paid close attention to detail throughout the renovation and restoration process. As Donnelly points out, “You can tell a coal stove was used when it was originally built. There are still burn marks on the wood floor.”
Guests rave about the family-friendly rental, which can sleep six in total in a king bed, a queen Murphy bed, and a sleeper sofa. The kitchen comes equipped with the basics, such as cookware, spices, and tableware. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, a washer and dryer, and complimentary toiletries. Folks can also relax outside by the gas firepit. As Donnelly says, “It’s much more than just accommodations—it’s memories and experiences, and I love being a part of that. It is a really neat place for people who like history.”
While most people who book their stay at the schoolhouse are looking for a restful weekend indoors, the Donnellys recommend nearby shops and restaurants as well as local hiking and historical sites to folks who want to explore. The Antietam National Battlefield is only a few miles away, as are Harpers Ferry and Gettysburg. The property can be found online wherever you book your vacation stays.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2023 ISSUE
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