Canberra's first schoolhouse
St John’s Schoolhouse Museum, situated adjacent to St John’s Church, is Canberra’s first schoolhouse. Built in 1845 by Robert Campbell of Duntroon for the education of workers’ children, it consists of a schoolroom with five attached rooms which served as the residence for the schoolmaster and his family. It finally closed as a school in 1907.
In 1969 it opened as a museum, set up to depict schooling in the 1870s. It holds many nineteenth and early twentieth-century photographs relating to Canberra schools, church history, the rural history of Canberra and the development of the city.
Run entirely by volunteers, it opens to the public on Wednesday mornings (10 a.m. - 12 noon); Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays (2.00 – 4.00 p.m.). It is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Entry is by donation.
The Schoolhouse is opened at other times by arrangement for school and other groups. Cost is $2 per student. Bookings are essential. Please phone 6249 6839 or email schoolhouse@stjohnscanberra.org (preferred contact method).
The Schoolhouse Board always welcomes new volunteers. If you would care to help by joining the roster of guides for two hours once a month, please phone/fax: 6249 6839 to leave your name and contact number or email: schoolhouse@stjohnscanberra.org