A Brief History of the Konnarock Training School
The story of Konnarock Training School began in 1922 when the Reverend Kenneth Killinger and his cousin Laura Scherer Copenhaver addressed the national gathering of the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) concerning the need for educational opportunities for women in Appalachia. These individuals were particularly concerned with the five-state area that joined Southwest Virginia. The WMS acted on Copenhaver and Killinger’s request and appointed two women to study the needs of the area. Miss Cora Pearl Jeffcoat in North Carolina and Miss Mary Phlegar Smith in Virginia agreed that the most pressing need in the area was a boarding school for education mountain girls who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend school. Most mountain schools were only in session about six months a year and at best taught through seventh grade. In addition, many of the homes were isolated and roads were frequently impassable. The village of Konnarock, Virginia was chosen as the site because of its proximity to the other four states and because of the railroad connection there.
The WMS quickly appropriated start-up funds for the school and named Miss Smith as its principal. The first five students lived and were taught in a home leased from Theodore Roosevelt’s sister. Meanwhile, plans for a three-story, state-of-the-art school building were prepared and construction begun. Mr. Luther Hassinger, owner of Hassinger Lumber Company in Konnarock, donated land and much of the material for construction, including the chestnut-bark shingles with which the building is sided. In December of 1924, the doors of the new building were opened and sixteen students and their teachers moved in. For the next twenty-five years, Konnarock Training School educated girls and boys (a boys’ school and dormitory was later added). A health center providing medical care throughout the region was also affiliated with the school. Many of the students went on to become leaders in their churches, communities, and society.
By 1959, roads throughout the region had greatly improved and public schools were more accessible for students. The Lutheran Church decided that its mission of educating students in the mountains had been fulfilled and closed the doors of Konnarock Training School.
For the next few years, the church used the building occasionally, but decided to sell the property to the United States Forest Service in 1967. The Forest Service used the facility as a training facility for a few years, including as a base camp for Job Corps youth training to work in state and national parks. Eventually, however, the building fell into disuse and disrepair.
In 1997, Konnarock was listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in recognition of both its history and its architecture.
A local organization, in cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia (ELCMA), was formed to explore the possibility of reclaiming and restoring the building. Congressman Rick Boucher (Dem.-Ninth District, VA) worked with the group to obtain possession of the property. His bill authorizing transfer of the property to ELCMA was signed by President George W. Bush in December 2006. Konnarock Retreat House (KRH) had been incorporated earlier that year and was able to receive transfer of the deed from ELCMA in October 2007. Since that time, KRH has received over $100,000 in donations and has begun the task of restoration. Mr. Bill Huber of Spectrum Designs has prepared a plan for stabilization and is working on complete design details. He is in communication with the Department of Historic Restoration and the plans will conform to both national code and DHR specifications.
Along with the school building, KRH received the health care cottage that was added in the early 1930s. This building also has chestnut-bark siding. The group has completed some renovation on that building and is using it for office space and as a place for workers to stay. Mr. Monroe Herring is chair of the building committee and frequently spends time on the grounds.
On May 18, 2009, Konnarock was designated one of Virginia Preservation’s Nine Most Endangered Sites for 2009. The following links will provide additional information on this "most endangered sites" designation:
National Registry of Historical Places
Additional historical information on the Konnarock Training School can be found in the following publications:
Gay, John E. Konnarock Training School: Its Spirit Lives On. Lynchburg, VA: Warwick House Publishing, 1998. ISBN-10 1890306126 ISBN-13: 978-1890306120
Hatcher, O. Latham. A Mountain School: A Study Made by the Southern Woman's Educational Alliance and Konnarock Training School. Richmond, VA: Garrett & Massie, Inc., 1930.
Tannen, Sherree R. Kenneth Killinger: Mountain Missionary. Lynchburg, VA: Warwick House Publishing,1995.
Our Nonprofit Status
The Konnarock Retreat House is a nonprofit entity incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has been granted 501(c)3 nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions made to the Konnarock Retreat House are fully tax deductable to the extent permitted by current Internal Revenue Service Tax Codes.