Bethel School | Preserved one-room schoolhouse in Honesdale
Bethel School in Honesdale, PA is a restored one-room schoolhouse that offers a glimpse into rural education from 1870 to 1951. Located a few miles from downtown Honesdale in Berlin Township, the wooden structure was built around 1870 near the Poor Farm. The building remains largely unchanged, with separate entrances and cloakrooms for boys and girls. Inside, visitors will find a single high-ceiling classroom with slate boards, double wooden desks and original textbooks from the late 19th century.
The school was first heated by wood and later by coal, with teachers responsible for tending the stove. Water was carried in, lighting evolved from natural light to kerosene lamps and electricity was added in the 1930s. Students in all eight grades learned together, reciting lessons at the front bench before heading outside for games during recess. The school closed in 1951 and was later restored, earning an Historic Preservation Award for exterior rehabilitation.
Today, Wayne County Historical Society volunteers host free open houses, special programs and seasonal group tours.
Bethel School in Honesdale preserves Wayne County’s early education history through authentic schoolhouse tours and programs.
