The Chatsworth School Museum in Varina will host an open house June 7 and 8 to highlight the legacy of a rare early 20th-century schoolhouse that once served Black children in Henrico County.

Located at 1451 Chatsworth Road in the Antioch community, the historic one-room school-house will be open from noon to 5 p.m. both days. A plaque unveiling ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7 to commemorate the school’s history. 

“Reawakening the Voices of Our Path of Virtue” is the theme of the weekend to celebrate recent restoration efforts funded by a grant. Board member Stephenne Belle stated the project has brought a sense of accomplishment to those preserving the site’s legacy.

Chatsworth School was constructed in 1915 and is one of the few remaining structures from the era. It educated Black children in first through fourth grades in Antioch before the integration of public schools.

The school traces its beginnings to 1908 when classes were first held in a building owned by the Grand United Order of Rising Sons and Daughters of the Star of Bethlehem No. 6. That organization later dedicated 2 acres of land to the Varina School District allowing construction of the Chatsworth School which was transferred to Henrico County in 1915.

The school was one of 23 institutions supervised by noted educator Virginia E. Randolph. Under her guidance, Chatsworth received contributions from the Rosenwald Fund as well as support from the Anna T. Jeanes Fund and the community.

Students came from nearby neighborhoods such as the St. Paul community, Drinkard Town and the surrounding area. A single teacher typically instructed all four grades, often relying on seat work and group study to manage the classroom. In the school’s early years, some teachers arrived by horse-drawn wagon or boarded with local families.

From 1922 to 1925 the building also served as a place of worship for Antioch Baptist Church.

Chatsworth School closed in 1956. The building and surrounding land were acquired by Antioch Baptist Church in 2001. The church led restoration efforts including the installation of electricity while maintaining the historic integrity of the structure.