An old restored schoolhouse on the Appalachian Trail at milemarker 532, near Groseclose, VA. The trail passes right in front of the building, so with some 1-2,000 hikers a year passing by, it is probably the most visited old schoolhouse in the country. It started as a private school, probably a "subscription school". Then it was taken over by the government run Free School System and then later ceased to exist when improved transportation made consolidation possible.

Subscription schools were funded by a monthly tuition fee paid by the parents to the teachers. In turn, the teachers were responsible for securing a place of study and for paying the rent from their earnings. It was not uncommon for classes to be conducted in a tent, dugout, home, or church. Because of the low pay, many teachers were women, and they typically received one dollar per pupil per month. Attendance usually lasted a few months, because children were needed to help with harvesting and other farm chores. Although subscription schools varied in the quality of instruction offered, they provided children an education until public schools could be built and supported by tax and bond revenue.