10/03/2021
Painting #40 in the Tuscumbia Paint the Town series is, The Little Red Schoolhouse. I remember being enrolled in kindergarten when I was about 5 years old. The school was in Tuscumbia's east end. I remember there was a house, where the teacher lived and behind the house in the backyard, there was a little building where classes were held. I also remember that it took less than a week to discover that, of all things to which a child could be allergic--I was allergic to playdough. I remember my mother pretty much bathing me in calamine lotion--Calamine lotion and Vicks vape-o-rub were her go-to meds. She could not figure it out. I think it was the family doctor who finally came to the conclusion it was an allergy. I don't know how or who made the final decision regarding play dough, but it was seen best that I become a kindergarten drop out. I honestly do not remember the little "school" where I briefly attended as being red--and I think I would remembered the vivid color. I had heard about this particular kindergarten from several people who attended. I had assumed the little building would be long gone by now, but it is still there. I got some information about some of the details and included them in the painting. A rail fence surrounded the property and there was a brick walkway leading to the front steps. Also, it had a green roof--all memories given to me by others. So, I took the best image I could find of the little building and added the home in the background--along with the other memories. The home faces East 7th Street, while the little red schoolhouse building fronts east 8th Street. Becky Fuller shared the following information regarding the history of the little school.
The Little Red Schoolhouse
1954-1988
In 1954, Mrs. Arthur Howard (Cecil), started a kindergarten in her backyard in Tuscumbia, Alabama. The little house that was on her property had been built in 1925 and was standing vacant. Since all of the 5 Howard children were now in school, Mrs. Howard decided to act on the dream she had had for years-her own kindergarten. She and her husband remodeled the little house and painted it red-thus The Little Red Schoolhouse was born.
It was a happy and fun place for children from all over Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals and Leighton to get their first years of learning. The school was opened for over 30 years with many, many children attending.
In 1968, Mrs. Howard’s daughter May Woodie Christopher joined her teaching at the school. She had just graduated from college and gotten married. At that point there were 4 year olds and 5 year old children attending the school.
The Little Red Schoolhouse was always a happy, secure and loving place to be a child- thanks to ”Teacher”-- Mrs. Howard!
To this day, former students ride by the school to see it for themselves or to show their children or grandchildren where THEY went to kindergarten!
