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Where the Past Comes to Life

Experience Tennessee History

Open for the 2026 Season

Welcome to the Sam Houston Schoolhouse State Historic Site! We hope you enjoy your visit.  Come in and sit a spell. Imagine it is the year 1812 and Samuel Houston is your schoolmaster.

What was school like in the early days of America? Simpler, indeed…but easier? Not quite. Students here learn quickly that life was hard, but full of fun. We teach students of all ages book learnin’, colonial games, and old-fashioned chores like candle-making, corn grinding, quilting, and washboard laundering. School and scout field trips are our specialty and a delight to us as well as the students!

Everyone here receives a warm welcome.

April through June, and September through November, students can experience a day at school in colonial times. Visit with a costumed museum interpreter who will help answer your questions about the schoolhouse, artifacts and grounds. In the gift shop you will find arts and crafts fashioned by local artisans and many hard-to-find books about Sam Houston and Blount County, written by local authors.

Sam Houston Schoolhouse State Historic Site is a single-room log cabin-style schoolhouse in Maryville, Tennessee, built in 1794. Sam Houston taught at the school as a young man, before the War of 1812.The schoolhouse is a Tennessee state historic site operated under an agreement with the Tennessee Historical Commission. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The school house was originally built by a Revolutionary War veteran, Andrew Kennedy along with Henry McCulloch and other neighbors.

The National Heritage Area Program and Blount County Tennessee: A Feasibility Study says “Sometime after his arrival in Tennessee, probably in 1794, Kennedy and Henry McCulloch joined with some neighbors to construct a small log schoolhouse in a clearing less than a mile from the Kennedy home. No definitive explanation can now be given for the decision to locate the schoolhouse at the somewhat unusual site more than a half-mile from Little River. Presumably its proximity to the refreshing spring which flows nearby and perhaps its central position in relation to the original builders' homes were factors in the selection of the site.”

 

ADMISSION FEES

(As of January 1, 2026)

  • Ages 0-5 - FREE

  • Ages 6-12 - $3.00/person

  • Ages 13+ - $5.00/person

  • Field Trip Participants (students and chaperones) - $3.00/person

  • No charge for bus drivers

HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

We are closed Mondays, Good Friday/Easter weekend (will reopen on Tuesday following Easter Sunday), July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and all major holidays.  The schoolhouse closes December 20th and reopens March 4.

In case of inclement weather the schoolhouse follows the Blount County School System weather related closures/schedule.

Schedule a Group Tour

Please help keep the Schoolhouse going. We use your donations to pay for maintenance, improvements, landscaping and promotional materials to attract more visitors like you. Your one-time or monthly donation helps alot!!

Support the Schoolhouse

Gallery

 
 

Built in 1794

This schoolhouse served the Blount County community for many years before falling into disuse and nearly being lost to memory. It was lovingly restored over a 10-year period and has since continued to serve as a connection to the past for tourists, students and history buffs.

Learn About the Schoolhouse
 

Sam Houston Blog Series

Featured
How Sam Houston Rode into Texas—and History
How Sam Houston Rode into Texas—and History
Houston’s Dramatic Return to the National Stage
Houston’s Dramatic Return to the National Stage
Love, Loss, and a New Path: Sam Houston’s Life Among the Cherokee
Love, Loss, and a New Path: Sam Houston’s Life Among the Cherokee
Broken, Banished, Renamed: The Darkest Chapter of Sam Houston’s Life
Broken, Banished, Renamed: The Darkest Chapter of Sam Houston’s Life
Old, rusty metal spoon lying on a yellow surface.
A pink and white petunia flower growing in soil in a garden bed, with a plant label nearby.
Close-up of green leaves with white veins, growing in soil.
Close-up of a white azalea flower with green background.
Close-up of a green succulent plant with red-tipped leaves growing in dark soil.
Collection of vintage ceramic figurines including an angel with wings, a girl with a black mask, and other decorative items, displayed on a shelf.
A gardening scene with a hand holding a trowel near blooming plants in a wooden garden bed, featuring a decorative sign with a poem about nature.
Sign for Sam Houston Schoolhouse State Historic Site, operated by the Sam Houston Memorial Association, with contact information and admission details, surrounded by greenery and trees.
A woman and a man are holding a large document together in a museum or exhibit setting, smiling at the camera.
A famous painting of George Washington sitting in a wooden throne-like chair, holding a broad-brimmed hat in his right hand and a cane in his left. He is dressed in historic attire, including a cloak and a cravat, with a neutral facial expression. Th
Children dressed in pioneer and colonial costumes posing inside a wooden hut, some holding props like a stick and a toy axe, others sitting or standing nearby.
Group of children and adults inside a wooden shelter with narrow windows.
Woman hanging a wreath on a wooden barn door outside, autumn scenery with trees in the background.
Two men dressed in colonial clothing are kneeling on a blanket in a forest during autumn. They appear to be engaged in a historical reenactment or educational demonstration, with various period-appropriate items spread out on the blanket.
An elderly man decorating a rustic wooden cabin with a holiday wreath on the exterior wall.
Interior of a rustic wooden cabin with a stone fireplace, wooden beams, a chalkboard, and wooden tables and benches.
A sign for Carter House State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, with flowers and greenery in the foreground.
An elderly woman with gray hair in a bun demonstrating a science experiment to a group of children outdoors in a wooded area. The children are wearing casual clothes and some have face masks and bows, watching attentively.
Children in line, waiting to make candles at an outdoor camp activity, with a woman assisting, in a wooded area.
An elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing a white blouse and a beige plaid skirt, making a peace sign with her hand inside a rustic wooden room with a sign that reads 'SAM HOUSTON' in the background.
An elderly woman in a white blouse and plaid skirt is standing and talking to a young girl with a pink hair tie, inside a rustic wooden building with signs on the wall.
A young child crushing corn kernels with a stone on a tree stump outdoors.
Museum display of a wooden spinning wheel and a bobbin on a tilted wooden frame, with a telegraph key in the background and framed photographs on the wall.
Group of children and adults walking on a trail through a lush, green park surrounded by tall trees, with a wooden building in the background.
A man playing a mandolin while two women sit in chairs and listen outdoors in a park, framed by green leaves.
A man playing guitar and singing into a microphone during an outdoor performance in a lush, green park.
A wooden sawhorse with a coil of yellow and multicolored flexible tubing draped over it, set on a grassy field.
Three middle-aged men playing guitars and singing outdoors in a forest, with microphones set up in front of them.
Snow-covered rustic wooden shed in a winter landscape with leafless trees and a picnic table in the snow.
A snow-covered log cabin with a stone chimney in a winter landscape, surrounded by leafless trees and snow, with a house and pickup truck visible in the background.
A snowy landscape with a wooden barn in the background, snow falling, and blooming white flowers in the foreground.
A woman and a man dressed in 19th-century period costumes standing inside a log cabin with wooden walls. The woman wears a plaid dress, a cape, gloves, and a hat, with her hair styled in an updo. The man is dressed in a black suit with a vest, a top
Four men dressed in historical clothing aiming muskets outdoors near a wooden cabin surrounded by trees.
Two men dressed in historical clothing are holding a Confederate flag with the word 'TENNN' on it. They are outdoors, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence.
A group of men sitting at a table outdoors under a canopy with patriotic and Confederate flags, surrounded by trees and flowers, part of a display or gathering.
A man dressed in historical clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, walking through a garden archway made of white flowers and green foliage.
Two children and two adults at an outdoor table with animal bones and artifacts, engaging in a discussion in a wooded area.
Child wearing a blue shirt handling a beaded bracelet with antlers, surrounded by animal bones and skulls on a table outdoors.
A man dressed in colonial-era clothing, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, firing a musket outdoors near a log cabin, with smoke emitting from the musket and trees in the background.
Man dressed as Abraham Lincoln, wearing a tall top hat, black coat, and white shirt, stands under a canopy chatting with a boy dressed as a Civil War soldier in uniform with a gray cap. They are outdoors, near a table with bottles and supplies, surro
An elderly woman wearing a wide-brimmed white bonnet adorned with blue flowers, with a large blue bow tied under her chin, and a light blue dress with ruffled collar, sitting outdoors with a green, leafy background.
Two people dressed in historical attire, a woman sitting on a wooden fence and a man leaning over a work surface, outdoors in a lush green setting. The woman is wearing a blue dress with white lace and a matching bonnet, holding a small object, while
A vintage gold and wood revolver, a framed photo of a man with a Confederate flag, and a printed informational sheet about an 1851 Griswold & Gunnison pistol are displayed on a white surface.
Two vintage flintlock rifles lying on a white surface, with metal and wooden parts visible.
Group of children dressed in historical costumes, holding wooden rifles, standing outdoors in a park with greenery, participating in a historical reenactment or educational event.
Children participating in a historical reenactment or outdoor activity, holding wooden poles and dressed casually, with a person playing a drum, in a wooded outdoor setting.
A young boy dressed in historical military attire, wearing a gray coat and a kepi hat with crossed swords insignia, holding a musket, and appearing to be in thought outdoors with a blurred background of greenery and other people.
A young boy dressed as a Civil War soldier, wearing a gray uniform and holding a rifle, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.
A young girl with brown hair wearing a white sleeveless top outdoors, holding a wooden stick, with an American flag in the background.
A young boy dressed in historical military uniform, including a gray cap with gold details, holding a wooden rifle, with an American flag in the blurred background.
Young boy dressed in Civil War soldier costume holding a rifle with a background of green trees.
Two boys standing outdoors facing a man in a vest and hat, with rifles resting on their shoulders, in a green, wooded area.
Vintage outdoor measuring instruments, including a small house-shaped metal device with a white bulb, on a wooden surface. Blurred background.
Assorted vintage tools and objects arranged on a wooden surface, including scissors, a carving knife, a spoon, glass magnifying lens, and a container with black charred material.
A man dressed as a historical reenactor with a beard and glasses, wearing a red hat, plaid shirt, vest, and a patriotic bow tie, talking to a group of young people outdoors during a reenactment or event in a park.
A person holding a vintage rifle and cleaning it with a tool, wearing a striped shirt.
A woman dressed in 19th-century clothing standing in a rustic room with a stone fireplace, flags, and lanterns, speaking or singing to a person seated in front of her.
Two elderly men dressed in Civil War-era uniforms stand in a wooded area, engaged in conversation. One has a gray uniform and the other a tan uniform, both with weapons holstered at their sides. A sign in the background reads 'Original Spring Sanctua
A man dressed as a Civil War soldier explains history to a group of children at a reenactment event, with a tent in the background labeled "Sons of Confederate Veterans".
A young woman with sunglasses, light brown hair in a ponytail, biting or tasting a rolled object, with a blurred green background.
A woman aiming a rifle at a Sons of Confederate Veterans event, with a man dressed in patriotic clothing smiling nearby, surrounded by trees and outdoor booths.
A street performer dressed as a historical soldier, wearing a red hat and a red and white checkered shirt, is laughing and talking with a smiling woman holding a rifle, outdoors in a park with trees and people in the background.
A woman dressed in historical clothing, wearing a blue bonnet, round glasses, and a blue dress with a white lace collar, smiling outdoors.
A group of people in historical clothing walking along a wooded trail during daytime.
A group of five men dressed in historical Civil War uniforms, holding rifles, standing in a line outdoors in a wooded area, listening to an older man in a gray uniform speak to them.
A man dressed in historical military clothing standing outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background.
A young boy and a group of adults dressed as soldiers having a conversation outdoors in a park.
People dressed as soldiers from a historical reenactment of a Civil War battle, aiming rifles with smoke coming out, in a park with trees and spectators watching.
Four men dressed as Civil War soldiers standing in a wooded area holding rifles.
A man dressed in a 19th-century military uniform stands outside saluting, while a young girl in an orange dress crouches on the grass near his feet.
Group of people dressed in 19th-century clothing, outdoors in a wooded area, engaged in a historical reenactment or gathering.
Two women are being interviewed or photographed by a person with a smartphone. The woman on the left is wearing glasses, a white shirt with floral embroidery, and has short brown hair. The woman on the right is wearing glasses, a pink shirt, and an a
Smiling senior man in a red and black hat, round glasses, a red, white, and blue patriotic bow tie, a red checkered shirt, and a black vest, outdoors.
A woman dressed in historic clothing, wearing a bonnet with pink and white fabric and a large pink ribbon, and a beige dress with pink accents.
Miniature figurines of Confederate soldiers in a diorama with a sign that reads 'The Chattahoochee River Line,' depicting the last Confederate defense line before Atlanta during the Civil War, with a Confederate flag among the soldiers.
A historical reenactment scene with three people dressed in period clothing, including a man with a red cap and a woman with a gray cap, demonstrating a small cannon at an outdoor event under a white tent with patriotic decorations.
A woman dressed in a historical costume with a blue sash and a floral headband, sitting on a bench under a tree and reading a book in a park.
Group of children dressed as historical soldiers at an outdoor event, with tents and booths in the background.
An elderly man with a white beard wearing a black hat with a feather, a red and gray long-sleeved shirt, and a gray vest, playing a hammered dulcimer in a rustic setting.
An elderly man with a white beard wearing a black hat and medieval-style clothing, playing a wooden musical instrument in a rustic workshop or indoor setting.
A group of children and adults listening to a person playing a musical instrument in a rustic indoor setting with wooden decor and an American flag in the background.
A display of natural candles, soap, and scented items on a wooden table outdoors with a green blurred background.
Jars of salsa with labels reading "Salsaman Salsa," some labeled "Extra Hot" and others "Hot," displayed on wooden shelves outdoors.
Two children, a girl in a pink jacket with glasses and a boy in a lime green t-shirt, are at an outdoor table with metal cans and a large pot, engaging in a craft or cooking activity on a sunny day.
Two ears of corn, one yellow and one with a reddish-brown husk, inside a metallic container with a metal cup, all on a rock surface outdoors.
A woman dressed in historical clothing, including a bonnet with flowers, sitting on a wooden chair outdoors in a park with trees and green grass.
Young boy with red hair wearing a black wide-brimmed hat, a plaid shirt, and a dark jacket, standing outdoors with sunlight filtering through green trees in the background.
A historical reconstruction scene featuring a man and three children dressed in 1860s military uniforms, standing outside a rustic log cabin with a shingled roof in a park setting.
A woman dressed in historical clothing and a bonnet adjusts American flags at an outdoor event with tents and people in the background.
A group of young children dressed in vintage-style clothing and hats observe an older woman demonstrating a science experiment outdoors on a sunny day.
Historical reenactment scene with children and adults in 19th-century clothing outdoors, surrounded by flags, chairs, and camp equipment.
Young man dressed in historical military uniform, holding a rifle in his right hand, with a focused expression.
Two young children, a boy and a girl, sitting on the grass with camping gear and a tent in the background, dressed in vintage clothing.
A man dressed in civilian Civil War-era clothing, including a gray coat with brass buttons and a gray cap with a black band, stands outdoors with trees in the background. He has a somber expression and is looking at another person whose face is not v
Two children, a boy and a girl, stand outdoors with an adult partially visible on the right. The boy holds a wooden rifle and wears vintage gray clothing, while the girl celebrates happily, wearing rolled-up dark pants and a checkered shirt. The sett
A young boy with a serious expression holding a wooden toy rifle outdoors.
A group of children and a man dressed as historical settlers or pioneers walking on a paved trail through a park-like setting with trees and wood fences.
Children dressed in historical clothing walking down a country road with a wooden fence and trees in the background.
A woman in a striped shirt and black vest is talking angrily to a person inside a red truck on a tree-lined road.
Group of people dressed as Civil War soldiers standing outdoors, with trees in the background, engaging in a historical reenactment.
A man with a white beard wearing a fringe leather jacket, holding a bow, and having a fur animal head on his hat, standing outdoors.
An elderly woman dressed in historical clothing holding a violin.
Vintage collection of tools and objects on a green cloth, including weights, knives, scissors, a balance scale, and various mechanical parts.
A man dressed in historical clothing, including a black hat with a feather, talking to a group of people at an antique shop. The shop has framed pictures, a display case, and various vintage items.
An elderly man with a white beard and mustache, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and light-colored clothing, is sitting outdoors on a wooden chair, smiling and engaging in conversation with two people whose arms are partially visible.
An elderly woman with white hair wearing a traditional bonnet decorated with flowers, a patterned dress, and a large satin bow around her neck, smiling with her eyes closed during an outdoor event.
Decorative pumpkin-shaped items with smiling faces and green stems on a table at an outdoor market, with small handmade signs saying "Happy Fall."
A woman with gray hair and a pet stroller talks to two women working at an outdoor stall selling coffee and baked goods at a market.
A man with long hair and a beard smiling at an outdoor art fair, standing behind a display of various tattoo-style artwork.
A woman with red hair in a braid, wearing a plaid shirt, sitting outdoors during fall with autumn trees in the background.
Colorful gnome ornaments hanging on a display at a market stall, labeled as $3 each.
Decorative wooden heart with a floral pattern, metal sheet, and black rivets, topped with two round tins of pearl earrings arranged to look like eyes, on a beige surface with a pink price sign indicating jewelry prices.
Various parcels of decorated rice krispie treats in clear polka-dotted plastic bags with labels reading 'Rice Krispie Treats' and priced at $3.00.
Older woman and two younger women at an outdoor market stall, with a woman on the right smiling, as they exchange or buy baked goods or food items.
An elderly man wearing glasses, a black hat, and a plaid shirt playing an acoustic guitar outdoors surrounded by autumn foliage.
A man carrying a young girl on his shoulders, a woman holding a baby, and a young girl in sunflower leggings and a black t-shirt sitting on the man's shoulders; all smiling and looking at each other.
A black French Bulldog with brown eyes sitting inside a stroller, looking directly at the camera.
Close-up of a Christmas wreath decorated with red, gold, and silver ornaments, candy canes, and a beige ribbon with green text and Christmas motifs.
Decorative holiday mugs, one with a cake design and the words 'Happy Holidays', and another with a Santa hat, displayed on store shelves with price tags, surrounded by colorful boxes and Disney-themed packaging.
Collection of vintage Santa Claus and Christmas figurines on display
A man dressed as Santa Claus with a red velvet hat and coat, long white beard, smiling, indoor setting.
Collection of Christmas-themed figurines including Santa Claus, an angel, and other holiday characters.
A plush elf Christmas ornament with a green decorated hat, blonde hair, and a red outfit, hanging on a Christmas tree.
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EVENT RENTALS

Host your wedding, birthday party, reception or reunion here at the Historic Sam Houston Schoolhouse. Our 1,000-square-foot event center is available for rent and includes:

  • Tables/chairs for 80 people

  • Dining and serving tables

  • Two restrooms

  • Fully updated kitchen with granite countertops, oven, sink and refrigerator

  • Garbage cans with bags

  • Outdoor BBQ pit

Weddings

  • 2 whole days for setup and ceremony

  • Outdoor or indoor ceremony

  • $600 due two weeks in advance of event

  • $50 cleanup fee

Birthdays, Reunions, Ceremonies, etc.

  • Pavilion + schoolhouse grounds

  • Whole day = $300

  • Half-day = $150

  • Fees due two weeks in advance of event

Please contact the Schoolhouse for more information and to schedule a pre-event visit, 10am to 2pm, Tuesdays thru Saturdays.

  • We want you have a great time while you’re at the Schoolhouse. Please take a moment to read our Rental Rules.

    1. Please do not dig or remove any property. This includes plants or shrubs.

    2. No climbing trees.

    3. No children are not permitted in the schoolhouse or near the water areas without an adult.

    4. Please put all trash in proper receptacles.

    5. No smoking in any of the buildings on property and all butts should be placed in proper areas. This is strongly prohibited.

    6. No open flames on property. Exceptions are: Fireplace in the pavilion, outdoor fire pit/grill and candles may be used in the pavilion but must be kept away from curtains and linens. Please be sure these areas are clean from ashes and debris at the end of your rental period.

    7. No firearms.

    8. No fireworks.

    9. No blocking of any doors at any time by any means. This is a fire hazard and is not permitted at any time.

    10. Food and drinks are not permitted in the schoolhouse.

    11. Please make sure your car doors are locked. We are not responsible for lost or stolen property.

    12. No alcohol.

    13. Do not climb on or remove any fences at any time. Fences are not secure and are very old.

    14. Please be sure to clean up after use of our pavilion. Please return all tables and chairs to the same position as they were. A dumpster is provided at the top parking area. If you are unable to remove your trash, please speak with an onsite staff member.

    15. There is always someone available either on site or reachable by phone should you or your guests have a need. In the event you need either resident director please call: Ronnie 309-335-8801 or Jackie 865-318-0114.

    16. In the event of an actual emergency, please call 911 first and then call the resident directors.

    17. All activities must be kept at least 20 feet from the schoolhouse building. At no time is it permissible for anything to be nailed, taped, stapled, hung or glued to the structure.

    18. Lastly, all rental payments must be made in advance. In the event you should need to cancel, you will need to do so 2 weeks/10 days prior to the scheduled event to receive a refund. Failure to do so will result in the loss of all rental fees or deposits. In the event of inclement weather, we will make every arrangement possible to reschedule your event. Please be aware that you are responsible for your guests while renting/visiting Raven Hall Pavilion and Sam Houston State Historic Site. We hope that everyone has an enjoyable experience.

    NOTE: When tents or flies are used, please be sure to have at least 15 pounds of weight per leg. This prevents fly offs.

BOOK YOUR EVENT RENTAL TODAY

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