little greenbrier school

The Little Greenbrier School is a well-made and nicely-preserved cabin that served as both school and church for the Greenbrier and Meigs communities from the 1880s into the 1930s. "Set a spell" and imagine yourself as a child, walking several miles from home to school in all conditions of weather, learning the educational basics, writing on a slate, keeping warm by the stove, playing in the clearing at lunch. Imagine being a teacher here, educating all grades in one room with virtually no resources but your own. Near the School is a Primitive Baptist Cemetery that offers tombstones indicating the joy of lives long-lived and the tragedy of lives that never had a chance -- "budded on earth to bloom in heaven." Read the names and inscriptions to garner an understanding of life's hardships in this mountain region. Both Cemetery and School are very good photo spots.The first way to access the School (and Cemetery) is a hiking trail beginning in Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, across the bridge. Good parking available. The second way is a hiking trail that's marked, just slightly hidden, on Lyons Spring Road (the road that leads from Wears Valley to Metcalf Bottoms). This is the Little Greenbrier Trail and there is room for a couple vehicles. The third way is a narrow, unimproved road, albeit marked, also on Lyons Spring Road. At various times this road ranges from dusty, leaf-y, and pothole-ly to muddy and slightly treacherous should you encounter another vehicle coming from the other direction (there are precious few pullouts, I believe three, so be prepared to back down). A few parking spots are at the top by the Cemetery.At times, a Park Ranger gives talks here; pick up the free Smokies Guide (from Sugarlands VC and elsewhere) for dates and times. Also, from the School and Cemetery, continue your hike to the Walker Sisters Place, 1.1 mile north (see my review), which is another outstanding example of Smoky Mountain history.

Married in the Smokey's, a piece of Heaven and a must see,History you can't believe, It's a Great!!!

The school building is in a very pleasant setting in the park. However, it is a nice hike off the main road and I do not advise it, if you have small kids with you. We went to listen to shape note singing and learn a bit about that art form. I have tried it before, but not sure if the kids (3 of them) were that enthusiastic. However, they did enjoy looking at the dates on the headstones in the graveyard adjacent to the school. I told them that my mother used to teach in a schoolhouse such as this one when she graduated from school, but had not gone to college yet. They were amazed that all grades were in one room, and that my mother actually taught people to read who were older than she was. Now if we could just stop other visitors from defacing such valuable relics, the visit would have been perfect. The kids, however, enjoyed reading the names of people who had etched their names into the desks and on the walls.

This little schoolhouse gives you the real feel for what life was like for the original settlers of the Cades Cove area in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a typical one room log building where all grades were taught together. Nestled in a very peaceful secluded part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, very few people visit, so you will almost always have it to your self. The setting along a small creek is very serene and peaceful. The road to the school is a bit of an experience in and of itself. Driving down this one lane road, you can only hope you won't meet any oncoming traffic. The sign says be prepared to backup. Only problem, I didn't see anywhere to backup to. Not the ideal place to drive a large vehicle. There is a "portable" toilet at the site. Walking the grounds and the trail to the creek is a real treat. If you prefer to be away from the bumper to bumper traffic that often occurs in cades cove, this is a nice litte side trip.

We absolutely loved this old school. There is so much history in there that you can almost see/imagine it in every knot on the hand hewn lumber. The view is spectacular all the way around it. I just wish people could respect property more and not want to carve/write on it. I suggest going early or late because the road to it is one way and would be hard to back back down if you meet someone.

Enjoyed the short walk and and visit. It's a rough cabin in the woods.The school is next to a brook (Little Brier Branch) and the Metcalf Bottoms Trail.

Another one of the history trips I enjoy while in the smokies the school house as it was and the mile hike to the walker sisters house you need to read the book about them and how they lived to really appreciate this area. A must to teach children about the earl schools and how the people lived

WE VISITED here in 1999, and found it totally by accident, as we got out and drove to find such awesome places. The little valley was in itself worth the find, and we loved going inside the school---The huge poplar logs, some over 2 feet in width, seemed to be alive with the spirits of all who may have at one time gotten education within their walls. I would gladly go back!

Nice hike to a really cool old schoolhouse, you can go in and sit on the benches, feel like what school may have been like here

Totally worth the hike...I read the reviews, and talked to the rangers at Sugarlands, and decided not to risk the one lane gravel road (I suck at backing up, and the car is pretty new). I drove to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and hiked in...the start to the trail is marked, but then you're on your own until you get to the school. This may be a short trail, but it's not that easy...the first part is a steep uphill gravel path, followed by a steep downhill dirt path covered with huge tree roots (although these make handy stairs when going back). I felt like I walked forever without seeing any markers, and was almost about to turn around when I saw the school...I guess not many people use the trail! The schoolhouse was absolutely wonderful. It had lots of original things on display, like needlework samplers from little girls, schoolbooks, slates, dolls, etc. There was a volunteer dressed in period clothing, too, who answered questions. Sit at one of the desks and take it all in... There is a small cemetery across from the school, with most of the headstones replaced/additionally marked with modern plaques. Some of the graves probably had wooden markers that are long gone, and the stone markers are so worn you can't read them (if there was anything on them in the first place). This is also the jumping-off point to get to the Walker Sisters' Cabin, which can only be reached on foot. The trail starts just above the parking lot for the schoolhouse.

We drove up to the school on the very narrow roadway and just prayed that no one was coming the other way, otherwise you have to drive back down...backwards!! Luckily we made it up without stopping. The school is very interesting with desks and a blackboard still in place. There's a little cemetery across from it with many members of the Walker family buried there.

I drove up the narrow road with a threatening thunderstorm in tow. I had four teenagers with me who were creeped out about getting stuck in the old school house during the storm. It was very humbling to see and to know that people lived so simply. Because of the storm we didn't hike back to the other cabins. Next time we will. This is a simple place to visit with an old grave yard next to it but a must see for anyone who is interested in history.

We made a stop at the Little Greenbrier School on our recent trip to the Smokies. Since my kids and husband balked at hiking to it, we drove the road up to it. It's maybe a mile, gravel and winding, fairly narrow. Although the sign says if you meet someone be prepared to back all the way up or down so they can pass, my husband said there were places along the road where two vehicles could pass. We didn't meet anyone coming up or down so didn't need to try out his theory:-). Truthfully, I thought it a much less harrowing drive than Cataloochee. Obviously you probably wouldn't want to take an RV on it. In addition to driving it, you can also hike the road in (there is parking at the start of the road, about three spots) or hike it from Metcalf Bottoms picnic area (looked to be a really easy hike).The school is rustic. It's amazing to imagine kids attending school here years ago. We were the only ones visiting Little Greenbrier, so it was neat to walk around in the silence and think about days gone by. The cemetery near the school is worth a look too. Lots of old markers, some are just stones sticking out of the ground. Behind the school is a little creek area with a small walking bridge across it (this is the trail to Metcalf Bottoms picnic area). Such a beautiful setting for the school. Bring your camera!You can also hike to the Walker sisters cabin from here. I really wanted to, but the rest of the family did not and I was too chicken to do it by myself (bears).

Be sure to read up on the Walker Sisters before going. If you do, it will be well-worth your time and effort. You can either drive to it or walk from the park at Metcalf Bottoms. We have done both; historically it become alive more if you do the walk. And be sure to see the Walker Sisters' home while you are exploring. Great story there............

This old school house has always been very special to my family because my Papaw, James Meek Parton, went to school there. And, yes, he had to walk miles back and forth as suggested in an earlier review. That's just the way it was back then. My sister, my late Aunt Louise and I made it a yearly pilgrimage for so many years. When ill health and bad roads kept my aunt from making the trip we let it slide unfortunately. My sis and I are going up today and spend an hour or two. I encourage anyone with school age children to make the trip up here. It will foster an interest in history like you wouldn't believe.