The school bell continues to ring in the one-room school with
field trips for children and adults by appointment.

Semmes School is the oldest continuous-in-use school
in the State of Alabama and is 
listed on the Alabama Historical Landmarks.

The Beginning of Semmes School

The first formal school in Semmes was a log cabin located on the sixteenth section close to where Mary G. Montgomery High School is today.  This cabin was used as a church and a school found in 1872-1873.

The first teacher was James Aplin McCrary born March 10, 1836, in Campbelton, Florida.  He and his parents moved to Crawford Community and are buried at the Crawford Cemetery in Semmes.  James married Mary Jane Roberts.  He homesteaded in Semmes in 1898.  He was a farmer who raised sheep and cattle and taught school.

The school-church moved in 1902 to the present location of Semmes Heritage Park. 

Thomas Jefferson Howell, the son of Benjamin Howell, donated the land for a new school and a church near the center of the town where the railroad station, store, blacksmith shop and Funk Hotel were located.  There was one stipulation with this land gift being that there would always be a school on this property, otherwise the land would revert back to the Howell family.

Thomas's father, Benjamin had homesteaded in 1843 in Semmes.  He was an educated and wealthy man who farmed, sold timber and had a sawmill.  He sent his children to board and attend Barton Academy in Mobile, instilling the importance of education in his children.  Thomas had his own land which he homesteaded in 1860.

When the school bell rings today, students step back in time to experience a 1900's school.  Reading, writing and arithmetic are taught.  Students write on slate boards and learn school rules and punishments.  The favorite activities of the day are recess, seesawing, and eating a sack lunch under the broad ancient oak trees.

Hands-on history begins with learning about chores of yesteryears, pumping water, and looking inside an outhouse replica.

The day ends with girls making a corn shuck doll and the boys making a spinner button toy as a keepsake for their hands-on-journey in history.

Participating in this hands on history lesson have been elementary students from public and private schools, future teachers' club, parents and a group of college graduation students from a local university.

For field trip or tour information, please call 251/649-0270.