Country School Association of America



For immediate releaseFor more information, call Sue Maxwell at Historic Host ~ 740-596-2408Vintage Schoolhouse offers new ‘3-Rs’ in the Hocking Hills19050112395Now a visit to the Hocking Hills region can include the new ‘3-Rs’ ~ rest, relaxation and romance at Dunkle Schoolhouse, one of the area’s newest and most unique lodgings. The building, which saw its final class of students in 1939, was rescued about a year ago by Sue Maxwell of Historic Host “Vacation with History” lodgings, just in time to prevent its collapse. Although the wooden interior was intact, time and neglect had taken its toll on the exterior siding and the hand-hewn log floor supports.The year-long restoration project required the reproduction of matching siding, the replacement of the building’s underpinnings which again rest on the original hewn stones, and the innovative placement of electric and plumbing systems. The collection of period-appropriate artifacts such as school desks, a variety of vintage textbooks, a teacher’s desk and bell, a 48-star flag and the traditional portrait of George Washington above the chalkboard, serve both as furnishings and décor. The little rooms that once were cloakrooms for boys and girls now serve as a bathroom and kitchen.The building is very “green,” as are the other Historic Host lodgings, and they are Hocking Hills Green Certified. Features include low-flow plumbing fixtures, an on-demand water heater, CFL lighting and maximum insulation. Two people can sleep in the king bed alcove with a sitting area and an electric stove-style fireplace.“Historic Host aims to rescue some of the history and heritage of our scenic Appalachian Hocking Hills area,” Maxwell says. “Our goal is to provide unusual and authentic vacation experiences in places where people already enjoy staying,” she adds. All profits from Historic Host lodging rentals are used to maintain the buildings, and to the rescue and restoration of the next historic building, thus functioning as ‘sustainable preservation through tourism,’ a common concept in Britain and other places where sharing history is valued.Dunkle Schoolhouse joins two other historic lodgings. Stairway House in Zaleski is near Lake Hope, the Moonville Tunnel and Rail Trail, all the Hocking Hills State Parks and many other attractions. It history highlights the mid-19th century iron ore company started in Zaleski by a Polish Count; and when the house was built about 1903, it incorporated the legendary stairway rescued from the Count’s Zaleski Castle, the former showpiece of one of the area’s most important mining towns. This large, four-bedroom, 3 ? bath home can accommodate up to 10 vacationers.The Appalachian Quilt Cabin at Fiddlestix offers overnight Guests an insight into the enterprising spirit of earlier generations. This cozy, colorful cabin not only served as a family home, but was once an early gas station and offered basic goods such as eggs, milk and bread from its front room…an early version of the convenience store. Although the small house has only two bedrooms and comfortably sleeps four people, one former family raised nine children here! The three shops at Fiddlestix are open Saturdays and offer traditional gifts and décor, including handcrafted quilts, candles, primitive Christmas and rag dolls and rugs.All of the Historic Host lodgings are near the Hocking Hills State Parks, Lake Hope, the Zaleski State Forest, the Wayne National Forest, the Moonville Tunnel and Rail Trail and the Covered Bridge and Quilt Barn Trails. All are within walking distance of other interesting things for an evening stroll.For more information, visit or phone toll-free 1-877-do-History (1-877-364-4786).-end- ................
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