Open days at historical Foltz School slated until December
The historic Foltz School was restored and opened to public viewing in 2023 for people who want to learn about a slice of education history.
Open days at the schoolhouse are scheduled on Aug. 10, Aug. 23, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Oct. 18 and Dec. 14. Open days also were held June 8 and July 13.
Situated on Jennings Environmental Education Center property, the Foltz School first opened its doors to students in 1880 and remained operational for 83 years, until its closing in 1963.
After sitting vacant for years, during which time looters raided the school, the property was acquired by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in 1987, according to Melissa Brewer, a docent with the department.
Brewer said that Foltz School was one of the longest operating one-room schools in Butler County, and possibly the state. It also was the last remaining schoolhouse in the county prior to its consolidation with Slippery Rock school district.
“There’s still some alumni, since it only closed in ’63,” Brewer said. “They come in and visit from time to time, and they do an alumni picnic every October here.”
More than 7,000 hours of work was contributed by volunteers to put together the historical site, Brewer said.
“Students that have come back said that this is what it looked liked,” she said. “They did a good job.”
The property now serves as “a museum, educational facility and community gathering spot,” according to The Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission, the group that initially took the lead in securing grant funds and restoring the school.
The schoolhouse has been remodeled to resemble what it looked like in 1920.
“Since it was open for such a long period, they just picked one point in time to represent, and they chose 1920,” Brewer said. “Everything is from one-room schools.”
Volunteers scoured the state to obtain all the material that furnish the school. The bell came from Lycoming County, the desks from multiple places, the potbelly stove from a West Liberty one-room school and the blackboards came from Brady township, Brewer said.
“We’re still collecting information,” Brewer said.
The Foltz School updates things as more history is discovered, often from former students who walk in and share their memories. One student remembered George Snyder, a teacher at the school. Snyder ended up being the theme of the open house on July 13.
“We like to talk about the restoration effort and let people look around and see what school was like in another time and how it’s different,” Brewer said. “We also like to relate to people how it’s still the same in many ways.”
The Foltz School is open for public viewing from noon to 5 p.m. on the scheduled days, entry is free.
Schools can schedule field trips for students by contacting the Jennings Environmental Education Center.
