Welcome to the
Barcroft Community House!
This building was constructed in 1908 here at 800 S. Buchanan Street, then known as Arlington Avenue. It was to be a branch chapel for the Methodist church located on Glebe Road. It was sold by the church to the Barcroft School and Civic League in 1914. Each BSCL member owns one share of the Community House.
Upon its completion in 1908 the building began serving as our neighborhood public school, and was used as a school until the new brick building opened over on South Wakefield Street in
1925. It is probably Arlington's last remaining one-room schoolhouse. In 1913 the
school outgrew its original room and a second room was added at the rear. After the school
moved in 1925 a lower ceiling was added to the original room, the stage
was constructed in part of the rear addition, the bathrooms were moved indoors as city
water and sewer service became available, a furnace and kitchen were installed in the second room, and
the front porch and steps were added. The telephone probably dates from that period and is now
hooked to our "Neighborline" answering machine. The electrical wiring had been installed in 1908 when the first electric line was extended to the neighborhood.
Beginning in 1998, a second wave of renovation replaced the kitchen and furnace, added air conditioning, installed a new hadicapped accessible bathroom upstairs, replaced the roof and installed a beautiful new oak floor in the main hall. Barcrofter David Michaelson acted as our general contractor, and Barcrofter Mark Trone, master floor installer, made the floor possible. Following that renovation we added a solid masonry ramp in the rear designed by Bruce Atkinson to blend with the original building, making the Barcroft Community House fully handicapped accessible. Still to be done is the
ceiling in our main meeting room. Here is some more info on the renovation plans.
In 1999 Scott Brinitizer sparked a major renovation of the Community House grounds, creating a garden as a memorial to Carroll Letellier, a Barcrofter and his partner who died at a young age from a heart ailment. The results have been spectacular. Here is some detail on the garden renovation. This photo was taken before the grounds were renovated.
The Community House has been used for many activities over the years, including churches, a dance studio and a day care center. It is currently used for Cub Scout meetings, yoga classes, birthday parties, anniversaries, plays, a periodic coffeehouse and many other neighborhood events. You can rent it by calling the Barcroft Neighborline at 521-1116 and leaving a message for our Facilities
Manager. The rates are reasonable, particularly if you are a BSCL member!
This is an interesting building, and we invite you to visit and poke around. The restroom is down the hall in the rear, and and the telephone in the kitchen can be used for local calls.
We are pleased to tell you that others have recognized the historic significance of the Community House. On the right front corner of the building you will find the bronze plaque confirming that the Barcroft Community House was designated in 1984 as an Arlington Historic District. In April of 1995 the State of Virginia decided to
add the Community House to the National Register of Historic Places. And on May 5th, 1995, the Landmarks Review Board accepted it for addition to the Virginia Landmarks Register as well.
In 1995 the Community House was inscribed in the National Register of Historic Places. And in 1999, on the recommendation of the Historic Affairs and Landmark Review Board, the County erected this historic marker.
In case you can't read the graphic, it says: Barcroft Community House. The Barcroft Community house was constructed in 1908 as a branch chapel of the Methodist church. It was sold in 1914
to the neighborhood civic association, the Barcroft School and Civic League. The building served as the Barcroft neighborhood public school from 1908 until 1925. It was a one-room schoolhouse until the 1913 rear addition allowed for a second schoolroom. The front porch,
indoor stage and plumbing were added after 1925. The Barcroft School and Civic League continues to own and use the Community House for neighborhood activities and meetings. In 1995, the site
was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Erected by Arlington County, Virginia
On our Web page are some fond memories from a long-time Barcroft resident who made a generous contribution to the Community House Restoration Fund in her mother's name.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
More on the Community House
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Welcome to Barcroft Neighborhood