The Historic McConchie One-Room School is directly inside the main gate that faces Fairground Road. Originally located at Blossom Point Road and Maryland Route 6, this one-room school opened in 1912 to serve African American children and closed in 1952. This is when Charles County consolidated all of its schools. A private citizen bought the school, and it became a family rental property. It was ready for demolition in 1992, when several Fair Board members moved it to the Charles County Fairgrounds. Mr. Mitchell Digges and Mr. George Dyson spearheaded the move.
The volunteer, non-profit Charles County Fair Board of Directors and their McConchie School Sub-Committee now oversee and manage all activities related to the historic school building.
The Historic McConchie One-Room School is one of only three such schools in Charles County currently open to the public. It is the only known one still in existence that originally served African American students exclusively. The school now serves as a living museum and is open for tours and programs on the Fourth of July and during the Kris Kringle Christmas Market in December. It is also visited by Charles County students on field trips to learn about their local history. Upon specific request by the public, it is open at other times for tours and special programs.
Come visit The Historic McConchie One-Room School at the Fairgrounds during the fair! Enter a time capsule as a student of 100 years ago and experience the fun and hardship of attending a one-room school.
Contact us!
We would like to talk to you about your experience or that of your relatives who attended the McConchie School.
Delores Walls, McConchie Project, Alumni Chair
email: akapc71@verizon.net / cell: 301-412-1449
or
Charlotte Weirich, McConchie Project, Grants Chair
email: charlotteaweirich@gmail.com / cell: 240-210-3307
To understand the McConchie Project and to watch interviews with former students, now in their eighties, please click on the following link: https://youtu.be/WYpwCUhhbKI or watch below!
For more information about The Historic McConchie One-Room School,
please e-mail: HistoricMcConchieSchool@gmail.com, hollandnmd@aol.com or call 301-848-3476.
For a complete history of the school, please click on the link,
“The Historic McConchie One-Room School: Its History from 1912 through the Present Day”
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HistoricMcConchieSchool
Video Links
- On Sunday, March 7, 2021, Immediate Past Facilitator Charlotte Weirich and Ed Holland had a wonderful interview with Ms. Tiffany Daniel, Host, “Live To Day Health Talk.” As usual, Community Relations is pleased to get the word out on The Historic McConchie One-Room at the Charles County Fairgrounds Inc. Check us out! https://facebook.com/groups/146915585797358/permalink/1058710707951170/
- We were also highlighted in “Your Charles County” in February 2021!