Evening journal., 1906-12-01
THE STATES OLD
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
New Castle County Primitive
Structures An Interest
ing Study


school system in this state the growth
OF population has been marked by a
corresponding evolution In the build
ings used for school purposes, begin
ming with the ancient octagonal struc-
ture where the pupils faced the enter
and the old master with his terrible
rod. 10 the magnificent buildings Of to-
day. Of which our High School is a
good example.
Yet there are at present many
schools In existence where a single
teacher presides. adding its humble
unit to the preparation Of It's pupils for
the higher branches OF education and
their future usefulness as citizens; and
from them has gone forth many Of
those men and women whose names
have been embazoned on their coun
try's records and revered In the hearts
Of their fellows.
A few facts In connection with some
OF the smaller schools in this county
may prove Of interest to those now at
tending the city schools, as well as n
reminder TO some OF our older citizens
OF the places whore they fought their
first battle with the formidable prin-
lciples OF the "Three RS"
Centre Grove School, District No. 25.
The present building was planned al
most entirely by Henry Swayne. the
father OF Judge Charles Swayne, and
was erected in 1854 upon the spot
where the old square stone school
house had stood before. II Is said that
the original school building in this
, district was built Of logs The present
, building was built very largely
through the gift OF Colonel Henry A
lduPonts uncle. Anthony Bidderman
who contributed $1,000 at first and latei
$3.50 more. He had a heater placed ir
the cellar making this school withou
a doubt the first 20 be heated I'm thil
manner In the county He also fur.
nlshed the school with O. microscope, {
large globe. maps and encyclopedias
Lectures were given by professors from
Wilmington and Philadelphia. J. =
2 Chandler. Henry swayne and NJ. Pal
b mer served as commissioners OF thi
: district for over half a century.
No. School, New Castle.
o On June Is. 1772 the state grantol
a lot OF land in the northwest corne
OF the graveyard OF Emanuel Churcl
for the support Of a school. The lam
was vested IN George Read. Thoma
i, Mexican (two OF the signers from Del
aware), and three others as trustee
! "for the erecting Of a schoolhouse o
, lschoolhouses thereon and to be for tina
= use forever" The academy was bui
, I'm 1900. The expense account OF u
: construction IL still extant. Since Il
r incorporation in 1901, Il has been use
o continuously as a school building. an
) Is now known as No. 2 School. Profes
: sor H. V. Holloway is principal OF n
d New Castle schools.
e Richardson School
y The Richardson schoolhouse net
Elsmere. built in 1850 on a lot give
: by Richard Richardson, has been
use up 10 the present time with a
single exception OF one month IN 1Sf
when the building was closed for r,
. pairs, the woodwork having been q,
stroyed by fire in that year. In 1sl
> the old structure was enlarged 20 a
most twice its original size. In 1Ss
y a second room was added at a cost
= SslOO, but the commissioners were alb
y 70 pay for this fine improvement with
Iuul utld1 AHl'uhn AA' hAAAhAAN'' va AAN
= Anna Iatimer and Miss Mary r. la
= inner. who sent check for $1,000 a 81
= highly appreciated by the entire dil
= trict. Miss Rebecca p. Churchman
principal and Miss Helen r. Brown hi
y charge or the primary room.
The SheIlpot School, District No. 70.
10 This is one OF the Oldest schools
Brandywine hundred. II was built
stone in 1898 by Jacob Weldin and hi
been in continuous use as scho
from the date Of erection until q
: present. According 10 the recoliect6
= Of some this old school In the begii
- ming had nothing but a sand floor. III
- building has been enlarged at son
- time. Miss Margaret A. Lewis is Il
- present teacher
10 Glasgow School, District No. So.
The school building at Glasgow w
erected in 1893 at a cost OF abo
$1,000. Samuel Alrichs and Dr. w.
es skinner were largely instrumental
ay replacing the old dilapidated brit
on building, which was no longer Mt Z
re school purposes. with this neat stru
ture.
BrandyWine Springs, District No. 33.
Was built in 1888 and has been
use ever since. Miss Emile r. Pc
no nington Is the present teacher.
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