School is Back in Session!

The Foltz Schoolhouse

Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated volunteers, the historic Foltz Schoolhouse opened its doors to the public once again in October 2022, nearly 60 years after it closed. The schoolhouse will serve as a museum, educational facility, and community gathering spot that showcases the history of the educational system and the stories of those who grew up in Western Pennsylvania. In 2022, our volunteers were awarded the Special Award for Outstanding Dedication and Performance by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for their efforts on this restoration. For information on future Schoolhouse events, please contact 3mjcparks@gmail.com

History

This photograph shows the Foltz Schoolhouse in the early 1900's, when it served as a school for local children.

Before Restoration

Since its closure, the building succumbed to the elements and the passage of time. In the 2000's, former Park Manager Dave Johnson began the initial stages of repairing the building, but the project stalled due to limited funding. 3MJC adopted the project in 2018.

Renovation

Our volunteers, led by 3MJC members Deb Sale and Nancy Nalepa, spent countless hours researching, planning, and re-constructing element of the schoolhouse. These immense efforts were complicated by the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the volunteers were not deterred, and continued working through the challenging circumstances.

Completion and Future

After 6+ years and thousands of volunteer hours, the Foltz Schoolhouse had it's grand re-opening on October 22, 2022. While there is still much work to be done, we are excited to begin using the schoolhouse for educational purposes. Future plans and events will be posted when they are available.