The Historic Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse

The Sykesville Schoolhouse Museum is a labor of love as well as a work in progress, being restored to its 1916 appearance. Built between July and December 1903, at a cost of $530.50, the building has lived many lives.

Between January 1904 and May 1938 it was a one-room schoolhouse, managed by local community trustees, for children of the surrounding black community from both sides of the Patapsco River during the days of segregation.

Between July 1939 and late 1981 the building served as a residence with its main floor divided into four rooms. Since 1982, the building was repeatedly slated for demolition but was saved each time by the efforts of local residents.

By the mid-1990’s, with support from the Town of Sykesville, the project was in line to receive state restoration seed grants. However, their implementation was delayed while deeds and other issues were resolved. Millennium celebrations provided a major boost in the effort to save the Schoolhouse.