Historic McConchie One-Room School

04/30/2026

Dear Friends of the McConchie One-Room School,

Please join us for a Sunset Social on the water!

We are bringing our community together for an evening of relaxation and good company. It’s a wonderful opportunity to catch up and enjoy the beautiful waterfront views together.

**Event Details:**
* **Date:** Thursday, April 30th
* **Time:** Starting at 5:00 p.m.
* **Location:** Port To***co River Restaurant, 7536 Shirley Blvd, Port To***co, MD 20677

There is no formal agenda—just a time for us to enjoy the evening. We look forward to seeing you there!

Best regards,

Tina Wilson
Conservancy for Charles County
McConchie One Room School

03/23/2026

The McChonchie One-Room School at the Charles County Fairgrounds thanks the over 80 persons who attended our open house on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

If you wish to become a volunteer or supporter, please contact Chair Janice Wilson at [email protected].

Please know that Chair Wilson has always stated that the McConchie One-School is a large tent consisting of numerous volunteers and supporters. With that, she'd like for you to know the persons in the attached photo from left to right:

Tina Wilson, Financial Secretary, McConchie; Paul Guttenberg, La Plata Town Councilman; Nicole A. William, Maryland State Delegate; Lisa Yates, Charles County Clerk of the Court; Nicole Kreamer, Chair, Charles County Board of Education; Virginia McGraw, Secretary, McChonchie; Jeanine James, Mayor, Town of La Plata; Ruthie Lucas, McConchie; Lisa Ambers, McChonchie; Bob Sondheimer, McChonchie; Anne-Marie Champ, Event Coordinator, McConchie; Brenda Thomas, Member, Charles County Board of Education; Elizabeth Brown, McConchie; Edna Troiano, McConchie; Edward Holland, Public Relations Officer, McConchie; JANICE WILSON, MCCONCHIE SCHOOL CHAIR; James Wade, President, Waldorf/La Plata NARFE Chapter; Delores Walls, Chair, Alumni, McConchie; Dr. Maria Navarro, Charles County Public Schools; Tyjon Johnson, La Plata Town Councilman; and District 1 Charles County Commissioner Gilbert Bowling.

Not pictured: Glenn Belmore, Charles County Fair Board; Charles Gardiner, Charles County Fair Board; Cordeila Postell, McConchie; Michael Smith, FOP # 24 President - Charles County; Cynthia Sondheimer, Vice Chair, McConchie; and Charlotte Weirich, Grants Chair, McConchie.

THE MCCHONCHIE ONE-SCHOOL @ The Charles County Fairgrounds

03/13/2026

Dear Friends - In honor of Black History Month, the Charles County Fairgrounds cordially invites you to an Open House at the Historic McConchie One-Room School. (*)

Please join us as we celebrate the rich educational heritage and enduring spirit of the students and teachers who passed through these doors.

Date: Sunday, March 22
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Ribbon cutting at 3:00 PM)
Location: Charles County Fairgrounds – Bldg A

Guests will have the opportunity to explore the schoolhouse, enjoy light refreshments, and view newly produced historical videos detailing the school's unique journey and its significance in our county's history.

We look forward to sharing these stories with you. Please RSVP to [email protected] as soon as possible to ensure your spot.

Thank you,

Historic McConchie One-Room School Committee

(*) Due to icy conditions, the open house was moved from February 22 to March 22.

03/01/2026

McConchie One-Room School Tutorial w/Charles County Tourism Chief Ashley Chenault and McConchie One-Room School Chair Janice Wilson

Enjoy!

Step inside history at the McConchie One Room Schoolhouse, located at the Charles County Fairgrounds in Charles County. Built in the 1900's for African Ameri...

02/21/2026

!!CANCELLED!! (OPEN HOUSE)

Based on the weather reports for Sunday afternoon, February 22, a decision has been made to reschedule the February 22 Open House.

The Open House will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

THE HISTORIC MCCONCHIE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL at the Charles Count Fairgrounds

01/29/2026

Dear Friends,

In honor of Black History Month, the Charles County Fairgrounds cordially invites you to an Open House at the Historic McConchie One-Room School.

Please join us as we celebrate the rich educational heritage and enduring spirit of the students and teachers who passed through these doors.

Date: Sunday, February 22

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Ribbon cutting at 3:00 PM)

Location: Charles County Fairgrounds – Bldg A

Guests will have the opportunity to explore the schoolhouse, enjoy light refreshments, and view newly produced historical videos detailing the school's unique journey and its significance in our county's history.

We look forward to sharing these stories with you.

Please RSVP to: [email protected] NLT S: Feb 13

Thank you,

Historic McConchie One-Room School Committee

10/06/2025

**WE HAVE A WINNER**

During the 2025 County Fair, the McConchie One-Room School sold tickets to a lucky winner to receive a bushel of crabs. We are pleased to announce that the winner of the bushel crabs is: Whalon Wilson!

Now, if you're asking if the surname sounds familiar we'll just say ... Janice Wilson.

THE MCCONCHIE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL @ The Charles County Fairgrounds Inc.

09/23/2025

GREAT JOB MCCONCHIE!

From September 11 - 14, 2025, numerous McConchie One-Room School volunteers conducted tours of the small but mighty school at the right-side of the Charles County Fair 's main entranceway. Many of us commented that we can't wait to support the 2026 Fair!

THE MCCONCHIE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL @ The Charles County Fairgrounds

09/02/2025

!!OPEN FOR TOURS!!

Neighbors,

During the 2025 Charles County Fair, the McConchie One-Room School wonderful volunteers will be on hand to provide tours September 12 – 13 from 9:00am to 8:00pm. In addition, volunteers will be available the afternoons of September 11 and September 14. What is the purpose of our volunteers? To be available to discuss the history of the School. We continue to seek volunteers to assist the Fair Board and its School Committee with educating the public about our heritage.

We can be located to the immediate right as you enter the main entrance of the Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata. Questions should be directed to McConchie School Chair & ‘a’ Fair Board Director Janice Wilson at 301.751.9610.

THE MCCONCHIE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL @ The Charles County Fairgrounds Inc.

06/10/2025

!!OPEN FOR TOURS!!

Friends,

The McConchie One-Room School is open for tours the second Saturday of the month from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Volunteers will be available to discuss the history of the school.

We look forward to greeting you. To that point, we can be located to the immediate right as you enter the main entrance of the Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata.

Questions should be directed to Cynthia Sondheimer at 301.375.9002.

THE MCCONCHIE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL @ The Charles County Fairgrounds Inc.

04/26/2025

Ongoing McConchie One-School Project Grants of March 22, 2025

Charles County Arts Alliance $5,000 to assist in developing two documentaries about the McConchie School – due June 30, 2025.

Southern Maryland National Heritage Area $5,000 to assist in developing two documentaries about the McConchie School – due October 31, 2025.

Charles County Office of Tourism $4,500 to purchase/acquire artifacts, antiques and reproductions for the interior of the school to enhance the “ambiance of an early 20th century one-room school” – due June 30, 2025.

Please know that we continue to seek volunteers interested in assisting with our tours.

THE MCCONCHIE ONE-SCHOOL @ THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS