Explore The Lehighton Area - East Penn Township, One room Schools Preview
1
East Penn Township School 1817
In 1817, a group of English settlers took a unique step in establishing another early school at Pennsville (Ashfield) in East Penn Township. What makes this story unique is that these settlers were quite determined to have an all-English institution. Interestingly, they resisted supporting German or mixed schools and had to wait until 1817 to set up their English-focused educational endeavor.Their efforts culminated in the construction of a stone building in Ashfield, where they hired Lawrence Enge as the teacher for a three-month term. This marks a significant moment in the history of education, showcasing the diverse approaches and priorities of different communities in shaping early schools in Pennsylvania.
2
Ginder School
Located in the center of the township, North of 895.
3
Pennsville School
This school was established close to the Pennsville Church in 1866 and was replaced in 1900 by a double room school house.
4
Peters School
This school house was located between Ashfield and Andreas on 895.
5
Miller School
This School House was located just north of Ben Salem Church.
6
Stone Mountain School
This school house was located between Ashfield and Andreas.
7
Lehigh School
This school house was located between Bowmanstown and Ashfield.
8
Kittatinny School
This school house was located at Kittatinny, south of West Bowmanstown.
9
The Mission House At Gnaden Hutten
In early Pennsylvania history, schools emerged, primarily established by diverse religious groups settling in the frontier regions of the colony. A fascinating example is the Moravian Settlement of Gnaden Huetten (Lehighton) in 1746, where the first school within what is now Carbon County was initiated as a mission school.Fast forward to 1749, and the first school in present-day Carbon County and Lehighton Borough was founded at Gnaden Huetten. This educational institution had a unique focus: teaching reading in the German language. What makes it even more intriguing is that the Bible played a central role as the primary teaching tool.The Moravian missionaries went above and beyond, translating the Bible into several Indian dialects. This thoughtful effort aimed to enable Indian converts to actively participate in morning and evening services, showcasing the inclusive and educational spirit of the early school system.
10
The First Known School
In the early days, education in the township was closely tied to the Ben Salem congregation, which predates 1790. The congregation not only organized religious activities but also played a key role in establishing the earliest school. The church, completed in 1797, served as a multifunctional space for both religious gatherings and school sessions, conducted entirely in German.Around 1812, the landscape of education transformed in the lower part of the township with the construction of a stone schoolhouse on Jacob Dinkey's farm. This marked the beginning of a more formalized education system, with the first teacher, Lawrence Enge, introducing English as the medium of instruction. The evolving linguistic landscape and the desire to align with broader societal trends influenced this shift.Dedication to education continued in subsequent years with notable teachers like Abram Miller, James Campbell, and others contributing to the intellectual development of the community. The stone schoolhouse remained the educational hub until about 1866 when a new one was built next to the Union Church at Pennsville, reflecting the commitment to adapt and improve educational facilities.The township's embrace of the school law around 1840 marked a significant milestone, highlighting its commitment to a more formalized and standardized educational system. At that time, the township had six schools, serving around three hundred pupils, a testament to the enduring legacy of early efforts to establish a robust educational foundation.
Explore The Lehighton Area - East Penn Township, One room Schools
