Ziegler's School

The Michael Ziegler farm on Rt.73 near Skippack village is the location of a brick schoolhouse which still stands at the corner of Cressman Rd. The schoolhouse is known as "Ziegler's School". It is indicated on the map of 1848. Now a converted home with stucco over brick exterior. The original size and material appears intact, as well as the roof lines.

About the mid 1800's, the State government began to organize an education system, and as residents grew in numbers, additional schoolhouses came into use. They were constructed in areas where there may have been more families with school-age children. Families in an area might have decided to construct a schoolhouse for their children, instead of having to travel miles to the nearest school. Some schoolhouses, if not all, were constructed on lands owned by farmers. Many schoolhouses reflect the name of the farmer. Skippack township had seven schoolhouses in use at the peak of the "schoolhouse period" that lasted into the 1920's, approximately.

This schoolhouse was built on a farm purchased by settler Michael Ziegler, in 1727. The Ziegler family was important to the development and prosperity of Skippack on both the religious and business fronts. Michael, Sr., a minister, was highly respected in the Mennonite church and by the Lower Skippack Mennonite congregation. He was appointed a trustee by Van Bebber for the 100 acres he transferred to the settlers of Skippack. His son Andrew was a Mennonite Bishop. His son Michael, Jr. started a tannery business as early as 1747 (operating close to 100 years) in the building on the opposite corner, across Cressman Rd. His grandson, John Ziegler, who built the house at Rt. 113 & 73, SW corner, was a well known musician and organ builder.

A long time resident recalls a teacher being Alice Smith. The writer remembers Ms. Smith as a music teacher. She was a kind person, also playing the organ on Sunday at the Trinity Church, which is her final resting place.

A booklet dated April 10, 1916 was a gift to the graduating class from their teacher. The hand written inscription, inside the front cover, reads "Miss Mabel A. Witman, presented by my teacher Melvin T. Tyson, Zigler's school, Penna." The front reads "Best Wishes, With pleasant memories of happy days spent together in the schoolroom, this souvenir is presented to you with the best wishes of your teacher." Listed are: J. Horace Landis, Co. Supt.; Assistants- W.D. Beyer, Caroline Niblo; Directors- Samuel P. Fox, Harry D. Kulp, Irvin S. Hallman, Jacob Buckwalter, Henry Reinford.

The pupils were: Paul K. Alderfer, Byron Anderson, Roy G. Anderson, Margaret M. Cole, Aldona Couch, Anna Ruth T. Drace, Paul Mark T. Drace, Henry M. Fretz, Ada K. Fox, Charles W. Fox, Laura W. Fox, Katie T. Grater, Newton T. Grater, Kathryn F. Hallman, Sara F. Hallman, Frank N. Kratz, Martha N. Kratz, Lizzie Mae N. Kratz, Agnes R. Kreibel, Daisy E. Mench, Norman G. Metz, Lizzie J. Reinford, Elizabeth W. Tyson, Emma W. Tyson, Ruth W. Warren, Mabel A. Whitman, Mildred A. Whitman

Researched and written by Mike Dickey
Member of Skippack Historical Society