By Steve Sears

Sitting quietly along busy Riverside Avenue in Lyndhurst is a time gone by. But, courtesy of those who seek to keep the past alive, you can visit and relive what went on at this spot. 

The Little Red Schoolhouse Museum, a school bell atop which still sounds when prompted, is owned by the Township of Lyndhurst but is maintained by the Lyndhurst (NJ) Historical Society. Originally known as River Road School, the first structure was originally built in 1804 and thereafter was a second constructed in 1849. The current third building, built in 1893, has been restored to its 1911 appearance. 

Visitors may visit on the second and fourth Sundays of the month (except holidays) from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. when local history exhibits are on display. Currently, the history of the Lyndhurst Fire Department is highlighted until the fall, but you can also see period desks, actual blackboard drawings and writings, and class photos from generations past during every visit. 

Lois Hussey is President of the Lyndhurst Historical Society, a private, not-for-profit organization. 

Hussey said, “Back in the 1800s or prior, most of the education was done in the homes. All this area was Dutch settlers, and from the family bible they taught the children in their homes. The Van Winkle family, who owned a lot of this property, deeded it to the township with the express intent of it being a school. It remained a school until 1980.” 

The building remained empty following 1980. It was condemned by the State of New Jersey when a pipe burst, and it sat deteriorating until the Lyndhurst Historical Society was formed and took it over.

Hussey said, regarding some folks who visit, “We get this all the time: ‘Oh, I pass here all the time, and I wanted to stop in. I have always wanted to stop in.’ People are out more now, and some lady was walking from Nutley and she said just that – and she stopped in.” 

The Lyndhurst Historical Society is currently holding an Engraved Pavers Fundraiser. 4” x 8” pavers adorned with commemorative inscriptions can be ordered and, when ready, will line the Fern Avenue side of the Little Red Schoolhouse fence. Email (lyndhursthistoricalsociety@gmail.com) for more information. 

Hussey said of the Engraved Pavers Fundraiser, “We had the first installation of the pavers, and we have room for a lot more.” 

The Little Red Schoolhouse Museum is located at 400 Riverside Avenue in Lyndhurst. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/LyndhurstHistoricalSociety/. 

Photo credit: Cathy Russell, Lyndhurst Historical Society, Vice President)