General

The Rock Hill School at Linden Hall
P. O. Box 151
Boalsburg, PA 16827

Centre County, 6 Miles from State College, Pa.

e-mail: Rock_Hill_School@mugglenet.com
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The Rock Hill School at Linden Hall MISSION

Our mission is to restore and preserve the historic Rock Hill School while revitalizing it to become an active learning center for present and future generations.

Rock Hill School, February 2005

Class of 1934 (click on picture to enlarge)

Historical Summary

The Rock Hill School At Linden Hall
Historical Summary
The Rock Hill School at Linden Hall served the east precinct of Harris Township and overlooks the church and cemetery across Brush Valley Road. The present school building dates from 1893 and is the last one-room school established at Rock Hill (Harris Township).The earliest of these schools established around 1802 was the first in western Penns Valley. A second school building on property deeded to the school board in 1850 by Moses Thompson was located in front of the cemetery. An old postcard photo of it appears in the booklet "Sketches of Linden Hall" published by the Linden Hall Garden Club in 1980.The Rock Hill School drew from an area about a mile in diameter, and children came from as far away as the Rufus Sharer farm near Galbraith Gap. Many inscribed their names in the siding of the building, some of which are still legible.
The 1893 building is typical of schools of the time consisting of an entrance vestibule and a large single room in which eight grades were taught. The vestibule had a coal bin on one side and a coat closet on the other. The teacher taught from a raised platform and lectern in the front. Heat was supplied by an iron "Buffalo" stove that was fired each morning and maintained by the teacher. Teachers were paid about $30 per month and in the 19th century, often boarded with local families.Facilities were sparse and early on, drinking water was stored in a bucket with a common dipper. Later, a larger tub with a spigot was used and each student supplied his/her own cup. A dual privy with separate girls’ and boys’ sides stood about 100 feet from the door. A school bell, which is still in the bell tower at the north end of the building, was used to call students to class and signal lunch and recess times. A long succession of teachers taught at the Rock Hill School. Their names reflect several of the established local families such as Campbell, Potter, Gingrich, Mothersbaugh, Coble, Ripka, Ross, Ishler, and Stover. Notable among these was William G. Waring who taught in 1846 and was the great grandfather of Fred Waring of Pennsylvanians fame. Members of the Waring family are buried in the Rock Hill cemetery across the road. Sam Ross, a life long resident of the village taught there at the beginning of his career in 1919 and went on to a 42-year career (1922 - 64) with the Harris Township and State College Schools. Upon retiring, Sam opened the last general store in Linden Hall, which he operated until his death in 1977. Sam and Irene Ross lived in the house behind the school and when it closed, they purchased and annexed the school property. It has been in the family ever since.
The end of the Harris township one-room schools occurred when the Harris Township school board voted to consolidate the Rock Hill and Shingletown schools with Boalsburg in the spring of 1937. Subsequently, all of the students were sent to Boalsburg. After the school closed, the desks were moved out and the building became a community center. Elections and social events were held there into the 1980's. The building is now used for storage and while basically sound, it is in need of restoration.

Rock Hill School, July 2005

Rock Hill School, September 2005

GRANTS

Represenative Benninghoff secured a $10,000.00 grant for our school project and Senator Corman secured a $10,000.00 grant. Above is Senator Corman presenting a check for $10,000.00 to Ron and Len.

Additional Info

Charitable Status

We have been approved for tax exempt status under section 501 ( C ) ( 3 ) of the Internal Revenue Code. We do not have to pay federal income tax and all contributions are deductible from your federal income tax.

Donations

If you are interested in making a contribution to help with the purchase and restoration of the school, send it to The Rock Hill School at Linden Hall, P. O. Box 151, Boalsburg, PA 16827. We have received donations from $10.00 to $10,000.00; every bit helps. Some contributors have elected to make a multiple-year pledge in addition to a donation this year. The pledge form is posted below. You can print it and mail it to us with your pledge and/or donation. To date we have received over $100,000.00 in donations, pledges, and grants.

Balloon Ride

Some exciting news for adventuresome people: A local balloonist, Mark Bigatel, has offered to provide a balloon ride for two to the family that donates the most money and a balloon ride for two to the business or organization that makes the largest donation.

Waring Connection

For historians and Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians enthusiasts, there is a connection to the Rock Hill School. Fred Waring’s great-grandfather (William G. Waring) taught in the Rock Hill School that was located between the two churches. One of those churches, the white one on the turn from Rock Hill Road onto Brush Valley Road, is standing today. The other was situated in front of the Rock Hill Cemetery. William G. Waring was one of the founders of Penn State . His wife Melinda is buried in the Rock Hill Cemetery along with two of their children, Arthur (2 years old) and Waldemar (7 years old). Fred Waring had five children. All five are living, two in Pennsylvania, two in California, and one in Texas. We have been in contact with his oldest daughter, Dixie, and his youngest son, Malcolm. Both live at Shawnee on Delaware, PA. We met with Malcolm and he has donated.

School Uses

We continue to think of uses for the school property that will be consistent with the rural nature of Linden Hall. Following is a current list:
Girl and boy scout meetings
Red Cross CPR/First Aid classes
State College Area School District learning enrichment field trips
Information center for the Linden Hall Village Historic District
Rock Hill School Museum
Pennsylvania State Route G bicycle path rest stop
Touring Motorcycles rest stop
Linden Hall Garden Club meetings/projects
Linden Hall Village Association meetings/events
Rock Hill School at Linden Hall Association meetings
PSU class projects
Rep Benninghoff town meetings
Senator Corman town meetings
Walking paths through terraced gardens
Conservation workshops

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Pledge Form (Click on form to enlarge, then click on file to print)

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