Updates From the Centre County Historical Society

Learn what life was like for a student in 19th century Centre County. Please join the Centre County Historical Society at the historic Boogersburg One-Room Schoolhouse for a special Open House as we unveil new and ongoing landscape projects, including plantings, a new trail and pedestrian bridge on the grounds. Visitors are cordially invited to "attend school" any time throughout the afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Boogersburg School is located at 1021 Fox Hill Road, State College, PA 16803.

This Open House is open to the young and the young at heart – those who have visited the school on a field trip, attended a one-room school in their past, or wondered what it might have been like to attend an early school in a single classroom. Learn about school in a 19th century one-room schoolhouse and about Boogersburg School's current role in education. There will be informal tours, programming and refreshments throughout the day. You won't want to miss the Back-to-School event. You may even get to ring the bell!

HISTORY

Boogersburg School was originally built in 1877 by Centre Furnace Ironmaster Moses Thompson for the children of his tenant farmers. The school was active until 1952. Today, through school field trips, educators continue to teach at this site, and tell the story of what life as a school-age child may have been like in the 19th century.

In 2007, the Centre County Historical Society acquired a vacant acre of land adjacent to the school. This recently cleared acre once consisted of a thick growth of mature hardwoods, similar to wooded areas owned by Moses Thompson during Centre Furnace's period of operation. Work has begun to recreate the wooded site with the support of a grant awarded by the Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania.

In 2010, CCHS sought the help of Penn State's Department of Landscape Contracting. Under the guidance of two professors, five Landscape Contracting students created a plan that connects the acre with the schoolhouse, and incorporates an open place for play, a small sheltered picnic area, walking paths, and an outdoor classroom space for educational presentations.

A major goal of this project is to provide the story of the historic connection between Boogersburg School and Centre Furnace Village, creating an interpretive landscape that places Boogersburg and its educational role in Centre County into a larger and more complete historic context. Linking the area's cultural and natural history in this way enhances Boogersburg's value as an educational resource through increased community awareness and understanding of the significance of this hidden treasure.

FUTURE PLANS

Future plans include the continuing development of walking trails, a small rain garden, a grassy meadow, outdoor educational classroom space, and signage to interpret native plants. Non-native species are being removed, and additional native trees and shrubs will be planted. A water supply has also been installed to help with the care of the grounds.

SPECIAL THANKS

The recent enhancements at Boogersburg School have been made possible through grants awarded by the Lumber Heritage Region and the State College Branch of AAUW, and through generous contributions by Glenn O. Hawbaker, Nature's Cover, Fox Hill Nursery, Penn State Department of Landscape Contracting, Penn State Office of Physical Plant, and Boy Scout Troop 367.

Boogersburg School is located at 1021 Fox Hill Road in State College (Patton Township), on the road to University Park Airport. For more information about tours or history of Boogersburg School, contact the Centre County Historical Society at (814) 234-4779.