Historic 1925 Schoolhouse
This 17,250 square foot historic schoolhouse provides a variety of overnight and day support services for launching regional field programs. These include a dining hall, classrooms, library, auditorium, dormitories, bedroom suites, commercial kitchen, and more.
Built in 1925 as the Konnarock Training School by the Lutheran Missionary Society and fully restored in 2022, this facility continues to serve its storied education legacy in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Judge Jack and Clare MATTHEW'S Dining Hall
Featuring locally hand crafted chairs and replica solid oak dining tables, this dining hall can seat 64 individuals in family style dining. Soaring above the hall are our featured raptor silhouettes that provide guests with a sense of scale and ID markers for our migratory birds of prey.
Appalachian Heritage Kitchen Sponsored by Food City
Our commercial kitchen is fully equipped to efficiently serve guests a variety of complex hot meals. Food can be conveniently distributed through a passthrough window or plated directly in the dining hall. Featuring a six-burner range and griddle, dual propane ovens, stainless steel prep areas, an ice machine, refrigerators, coffee percolators, pantry, and basement freezers, this kitchen is ready for extended, full-service meal preparation.
Sidney Rose and Palmer Fant Classroom
Featuring the Susan Stryk Cabinet of Curiosities.
Our primary classroom is set up as a flexible activity space with abundant natural light. It houses a variety of educational resources including microscopes, art supplies, identification books and dissecting tools.
Auditorium and
Dr. Jean Hamm Chapel
This beautiful historic chapel provides groups with an central gathering place. Lit by locally made stained glass windows, this auditorium can seat 125 guests but is setup as a flexible space that can also handle dance programs, round table discussions, weddings and more. Audio equipment along with a retractable 12’ presentation screen and projector are available.
Stone Amphitheater & Stage
Our dry-stacked stone amphitheater and black locust stage provides an outdoor compliment to the adjacent auditorium. With seats for 125 and an overflow lawn for additional audience members, it provides the ideal setting for nature programs, outdoor concerts, weddings and more.
Natural History Library
Our curated Natural History Library houses over 1,300 books dedicated to the natural sciences of the region. In this library you will find rare, historic, and local publications along with our collections of maps, artifacts, rocks, insects, furs, and more. Books are available for use by BRDC members and guests. A large meeting table along with a reading lounge make this one of the most attractive guest hangouts. Check out our library catalog here!
Bedroom Suites and Studio Apartment
The third floor of the historic schoolhouse features king and queen bedroom suites along with a studio apartment. These luxurious rooms have their own private bathrooms, reading nooks, and in the case of the studio apartment a full kitchen. Each room is decorated with heritage furniture and artwork emphasizing an important local species. An ADA accessible bedroom suite is available on the first floor.
Dorm Rooms
On our second floor we have dorm rooms that can sleep 58 guests in bunk style housing. Each room can sleep 2, 4, or 6 guests and features a private bathroom along with an individual heating & cooling unit. Linens can be provided based on need or quests can bring their own pillow, sleeping bag or sheets & blanket. Mattresses are twin XL size. Exiting out of the second floor is the quest favorite two story slide.
Each room offers a unique educational experience by featuring a locally important species.
2 Story Slide
A guest favorite, our two story slide launches out of the second floor of the schoolhouse and doubles as an emergency exit for the building.
Pavilion
This outdoor pavilion provides shelter from rain and sun and features 5 picnic table to seat 30 adults or 40 kids. With a stone floor, timber frame structure and an antique canoe hanging from the rafters this pavilion is an inspiring respite along Big Laurel Creek.
Field Station
This flexible 2,000 square foot open floor space is used as our field station where muddy boots and dirty activities are welcomed. Located along Big Laurel Creek and adjacent to our wetlands this facility often provides support for aquatic activities. It houses our second commercial kitchen along with bathrooms, and showers that can provide supplemental service to the picnic pavilion and campground.
Primitive Campground
Our 10 site - 15 person capacity primitive campground offers guests an outdoor alternative for overnight accommodations. It features a fire circle and is supported by showers and bathrooms in the Field Station.
Activity Field
While the majority of campus is dedicated to wildlife habitat, we maintain a 120’ x 60’ activity field for games and team building activities. This resource is vital for both youth and adult programs.
Wetland
In partnership with the Virginia Department of Wildlife and Recreation (DWR) this constructed wetland is one of our primary wildlife habitats. It features a meandering trail and boardwalk through seasonal wetlands that supports amphibians, birds, native plants, reptiles, and all sorts of insects!
rain garden
Sponsored by the Rotary Club
In a series of five pools this rain garden captures and processes nearly the entire roof water from the 17,250 square foot schoolhouse. This water supports a dizzying array of native wildflowers that then in turn supports all sorts of wildlife and pollinators. This micro ecosystem is an incredible demonstration and education tool for visitors.
Della’s Branch Nature Trail
This short trail is focused on the branch traveling beside the schoolhouse and features a variety of interactive features along with plant ID signage. While our programs utilize this trail for salamander surveys our guests often visit for a short respite along the babbling brook looking at the wildflowers and bird life.
Big Laurel Creek
This high elevation mountain stream is a cornerstone of our aquatic programming. Here, guests participate in snorkeling, macroinvertebrate surveys, water quality testing, and stream exploration. Big laurel creek supports an array of high elevation wildlife including trout, crayfish, aquatic insects, snakes, kingfishers, and more!
Winter Wren Cottage
This historic residence, fully restored in 2018, is available to visiting guest, researchers, and chaperones. This comfortable cottage has three bedrooms, one full bath, living room and kitchen.