Middletown’s history on display at school
MIDDLETOWN » A nearly 100-year-old school is providing the perfect setting to share the township’s past.
The historical society unveiled its collection Sunday during an open house at Roosevelt School. The event allowed residents the opportunity to stroll through the township-owned building and welcome the first confirmed occupant to its first public space.
“This is a great spot for this group and others in the township,” said Councilwoman Susan Powell. “This will be a community-oriented center and the open house lets people see what has been done and think about other ways to use the space.”
Constructed in 1921 as a four-room schoolhouse, Roosevelt was expanded three times, the last an addition in 1952 with a connecting wing. The building, at 464 S. Old Middletown Road, was operated as an elementary school by the Rose Tree Media School District until the early 1980s, when it was closed due to district-wide declining enrollment.
The school was sold to a construction company for office space and later rented to the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. With an eye toward community use, the township purchased the property in 2015, paying $853,500 for the 42,000-square building on 5.5 acres.
Following site cleanup in 2016 by Williamson College of the Trades students and the township public works department, the project began earlier this year to refurbish the historic front wing. All systems have been inspected and returned to working condition, highefficiency lighting ceiling tiles installed and the interior painted and polished.
The hope is to create a community area with interior space and exterior grounds that can be enjoyed by township residents and friends. A committee of council and community members is in the process of developing plans for the site and welcomes ideas for its use.
“One thought is portions of the building might be leased on a short or longterm dedicated basis,” said Powell. “People were making suggestions today such as for a yoga studio, Boy Scout meeting location band rehearsal area.”
Guests became absorbed in history. Displays such as a replica of the Smedley barn and timbers from the original structure, photos and newspaper clippings about the Lenni Heights and Middletown fire companies and Man o’ War memorabilia fill the three rooms devoted to the society.
“We are thrilled to have a home,” said President Susan Mescanti. “This has all been stored in the Middletown Free Library or in my basement.”
The guests included members of Honeycomb UAME Church, who presented a copy of “Light in the Valley,” the oral history of the congregation. Compiled by Media businessman Rich Glassman, the video offers the recollections of those who built and worshipped in the building on Barren Road. A copy is included in the Library of Congress and congregation or members joined for the presentation.
“You did not just join the church – you had to prove you had the spirit – and many people included in the video were taught by freed slaves,” said Glassman. “It was a wonderful project and I’m so pleased it has a permanent home.”
The festive event attracted several hundred visitors, who enjoyed works by local artists and Rose Tree Media School District alumni, the sounds of First Take, a Delaware County barbershop quartet, and refreshments.
For many, however, it was the artifacts that drew their eye. Victoria Powell, the councilwoman’s daughter, was fascinated by maps of the Minquas Trail.
“I like learning about Native American history, especially about the Lenni,” she said. “I appreciate knowing about the people who lived on this land before we did.”