CORNELL SCHOOL

- IN MEMORY OF -
JOHN NEIBARGER
A Dedicated Volunteer Who Helped Preserve Cornell School

From the earliest and most uncertain days of Cornell School’s preservation, John was there—working not for recognition, but for the future of the building itself. John played a key role in relocating the structure, helping to secure its foundation, and ensuring its physical stability during critical stages of restoration. Most notably, he led and participated in the replacement of the schoolhouse roof—not once, but multiple times—whenever nature threatened its survival. In one of the most demanding efforts, John and fellow volunteer Steve Voigt hand-carried concrete and rebar up stepladders to properly anchor the roof, determined that high winds would never again carry it away. It was work that required strength, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment. John also ensured the building could function for the future—helping connect essential water and sewer lines, and offering practical solutions at every turn. John's dedication as a volunteer was a gift -- one that continues to benefit Cornell School and the community today.
"Because of John, Cornell School Still Stands "

Our Story . . .

Cornell School is located at 453 South Main Street in Johnstown, Ohio. It is a beautifully preserved one-room schoolhouse that represents rural education in the late 1800s. This historic structure was relocated to the Johnstown-Monroe Local School District campus in 1991. Following extensive restoration, the school opened in 1996 as a living history site, allowing students and visitors to experience what a day of learning was like in a one-room schoolhouse. For decades, the Friends of Cornell School faithfully maintained the building and supported its educational programs.

In 2025, Cornell School was officially donated to and accepted by the Johnstown–Monroe School District, ensuring its continued preservation for future generations. The Friends of Cornell School will continue supporting its educational mission through the living history program, A Day in the Life of Cornell School, as well as other special programming.

Cornell School was originally located in St. Albans Township near Alexandria, Ohio, where it served surrounding farm families until 1923, when Ohio began consolidating school districts. Afterward, the aging structure was used primarily as a farm storage building and remained near Duncan Plains Road in front of the modern-day home of Tom and Gloria Miller. The Miller family later offered to donate the one-room schoolhouse to the Friends group on the condition that it be moved from their property.

Recognizing the importance of preserving this educational treasure, a group of local educators, historians, and community members organized the Friends of Cornell School in 1987 and began planning for its future.

In 1990, the Friends received permission from the Johnstown-Monroe School District Board of Education to relocate the schoolhouse to the district campus. At that point, the group intensified its fundraising efforts to ensure the deteriorating structure could be safely moved and restored on school district property.

In May 1991, the one-room schoolhouse made its slow journey down State Route 37 to its new home just four miles away. It has remained at 453 S. Main Street ever since.

After five painstaking years of restoration and overcoming weather-related damage, the Friends of Cornell School officially launched their living history program in 1996: A Day in the Life of Cornell School. This carefully researched historical reenactment continues today, offering participants an authentic “travel back in time” experience of rural one-room schoolhouse education from the 1880s to early 1900s.

The vintage schoolhouse is especially significant as an American architectural icon, recognized as one of the few surviving single-room brick schoolhouses in central Ohio. Beyond preserving the building itself, the Friends of Cornell School continue their vision of providing local history lessons and educational programming for students in the Johnstown-Monroe School District, the Johnstown community, and participants from across central Ohio.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world,
indeed it's the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead

Map for Cornell School

Cornell School is located at 453 South Main Street in Johnstown, Ohio. This is also State Route 37.

Visitors should turn onto the street at Chambers Way that is near the one-room schoolhouse.

Note: Cornell School is closed from November 1st through March 30th, except for special requests.