Published: May 26, 2006 11:35 pm      

Berlin pupils experience one-room schoolhouse

BERLIN — Girls in dresses and bonnets and boys wearing suspenders and top hats once again filled the Glade one-room schoolhouse on Friday.

First-graders Hope Poorbaugh and Alexis Short rang the school bell, signaling the start of a day of devotions, reading, writing and ’rithmetic.

As the rain clouds parted, about 70 first-grade pupils from Berlin Brothersvalley Elementary School traveled back in time to learn about the school days of the early 20th century.

“It was perfect how the weather just cleared up like that for this special day,” said Bob Schmucker, a Berlin Historical Society member who organized the event.

After the bell rang – once a sign for children playing in the schoolyard or walking up the road to hurry to class – pupils were assigned to gather wood and water and begin devotions.

They sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” while Leanne Calvert, a historical society member and teacher for the day, played the organ.

Following devotions, students met Charlie Dunn, county superintendent for the day.

“I have to check all the schools at least once a year to make sure the kids are learning,” Dunn said.

Dunn quizzed them on their spelling and math and taught them to properly address their elders with a ‘‘sir’’ at the end of their answers.

The kids also had a chance to talk with three former one-room school pupils, two of whom attended Glade School.

“I went two times to get water when I was in fifth grade and we all drank out of the same dipper,” Marjorie Maust said.

“We older boys argued about who was going to go get the water because we enjoyed getting out of school,” added William Glessner. “We had to walk a quarter-mile to get to the water.”

Later in the day, the students attended different workshops run by their teachers.

They were taught the usual three “Rs,” along with spelling and the area’s heritage. They also viewed artifacts and played games from the early 1900s.

“I grew up in this area,” first-grade teacher Tom Long said. “My grandmother applied for a teaching job in a one-room school in the area in 1906, and her application is displayed downstairs.

“Being here relates the students to the past and shows them what life was like and how it wasn’t easy back then.”

This is the second year Berlin students have visited the schoolhouse – one of only two restored one-room schools in the county. The other is in Addison.

Glade School was built out of logs in 1823, but was destroyed by a fire. The current building was erected in 1868 and used until 1929, when Shanksville-Stonycreek schools were consolidated, Schmucker said.

The Historical Society restored the building in 2002 with the help of volunteers. The building has received more than 1,500 visitors since its opening last year.

The public can visit the Glade One Room Schoolhouse anytime by calling the Berlin Historical Society, 267-5987, and asking for a tour.



Heather Hottle can be reached at 445-5103.