Our Heritage Lives On
In 2009 the door to the schoolhouse was opened to find that the floor had fallen nearly nine inches. Standing water in the basement had rotted the main supports causing failure. The fire company was faced with a difficult decision in difficult financial times. With limited funds available, discussion ensued including the possibility of tearing it down without help from the community to save it, and a group to use it. The following supporters assisted the schoolhouse project with donations of time and/or materials. The fate of the schoolhouse was in jeopardy, however because of a lot of hard work by these individuals it will now remain a reminder of the importance of our past, and be put back into use by both the fire company and Boy Scout Troop 145. Please support them as much as they have supported us.
Mike Kulick, K & M Builders Rickey Frey
Andy and Kathy Pisulak and the staff of Palmerton Lumber Bryan Pollock
The Getz Family, Forest Inn Masonry Rich Bolagash
Marilyn Frey Family, in memory of Howard Frey Dylan Smith
W.M. Miller Painting Co. Dayle Smith
Brian Andrews, Dunn Rite Electrical Systems Briar Stern
Glenn Miller Family Craig Ziegenfus
Chris Nothstein & Boy Scout Troop 145 Mark Ebbert
Mark Hayman, Hayman Water Systems Dave Pollock
Rick Jones, Jones Sanitation
Carbon Builders Association
and all who donated to the Marian Smith Memorial Fund as well as the Miriam Kistler Memorial Fund.
“It was over a half of century since the one room schools in Mahoning Township have closed and it is heartbreaking to know that so many generations to come will have no clue as to what a one room school with eight grades was like. Attending classes in a one room schoolhouse with eight grades is an experience that someone who has never done can never fully understand. The friendships and relationships developed during the years of 1931-1939 in which I attended the New Mahoning School are in a special class of their own. If only some of the schools could have been preserved! It is an era past that can never be repeated but will live on in my mind and heart forever!”
~Marian M. Smith
Marian wrote a history of the New Mahoning area including this schoolhouse prior to her passing May 20, 2009. This statement was included in that history. Upon her passing funds were donated to the schoolhouse restoration fund as she requested prior to her passing. These funds enabled the Mahoning Valley Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 to start the restoration project. While the floor is now structurally sound, there is still a whole lot of work that needs to be completed including repair of the slate roof, relocation of the main entry door with stair and ramp access, painting inside and outside, electrical and heating updates.
Donations or inquiries can be made to:
Schoolhouse Restoration
c/o Mahoning Valley Fire Co
2358 Mahoning Drive West
Lehighton, PA 18235
Email info@MVFC.com
VISIT THE WEBSITE OF BOY SCOUT TROOP 145 Click Here
The Mahoning Valley Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 is proud to be able to preserve our heritage while honoring those who helped us build a great community in which we live. This project will further enhance our community with the addition of Boy Scout Troop 145 who will make their home in the schoolhouse. Please join us in welcoming them, and want our residents to know that there is a new opportunity for scouting now in Mahoning Valley.
Times News Features:
http://www.tnonline.com/2010/jul/17/century-old-school-still-treasure
http://www.tnonline.com/2010/jul/19/old-school