Educators recognized at final open house of season Sunday at Schaumburg’s historic Centre School

The season’s final open house Sunday at Schaumburg’s historic Centre School will recognize area educators and focus primarily on the former one-room schoolhouse’s last teacher, Anne Fox.

Tours of the schoolhouse and discussions about the history of public education are part of the program.

The 153-year-old former school is now located at 222 E. Schaumburg Road, just north of St. Peter Lutheran Church and School. The open house runs from noon to 3 p.m. Access the schoolhouse by entering the church property and drive to the building that’s farthest north.

The monthly open houses are a staple of Schaumburg Township Historical Society’s summertime offerings every year. The finale this year is recognizing the contributions of Fox and other area educators throughout the years.

“We didn’t even know about Anne until a few years ago that she was the last teacher to teach at the school,” said Denise Suender, a board member of the historical society. “She continued to teach after the Centre School was shut down.”

Fox taught for 46 years in the area and has an elementary school named for her in Hanover Park.

“Her birthday is also on the 14th as well,” said Pat Barch, the historical society’s president.

Refreshments will be available at the event as well.

The schoolhouse is one of the oldest buildings in the area. After it ceased operations as a school in 1954 it served as a VFW hall, a delicatessen, a real estate office and even an iron works, according to historical society officials.

For more information about the open house and other Schaumburg Historical Society events, visit www.st-hs.org.