Historic Site of First School - Haddonfield Historic District - Haddonfield, NJ
N 39° 54.131 W 075° 01.895
18S E 497300 N 4416901
A rare, contributing structureless-site bearing only an empty lot and a marker. On July 7th, 1855, the Old Grove School became the first public school in Haddonfield. This conrner pays tribute to that educational milestone.
Waymark Code: WM8PGX
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 04/27/2010
Views: 5
This marker is really beautiful. It is as official as a local municipality can get with a historical remembrance. It is surrounded by flag stone and ivy with a bench in front. The marker just celebrated fifty years. An engraving of the Old Grove School appears on the top of the marker.
The marker reads
It was deeded by William E. Hopkins from land which came down through the family from Elizabeth Haddon and here the Grove School was built. Mr. Hopkins wanted all the children of the village to have educational opportunity. Up to that time, the Friends was the only school in Haddonfield. On July 7th, 1855, the Old Grove School became the first public school in Haddonfield. It was understood that any religious group could hold service here and three of our churches met and were organized in the Grove School; The Baptist - 1818, The Methodist - 1829, the Episcopal - 1842. Also Mount Pisgah Methodists - 1887, Mt. Olive Baptist - 1892
The marker is at the intersection of Grove Street and Lake Street, on the left when traveling west on Grove Street. It is mounted on a rock and surrounded by landscaping, flanked by benches. It sits in front of the site where the school house once stood. The marker was erected by the Haddonfield Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, assisted by The Board of Education and the Haddonfield Commissioners.
For a little more detailed and informed description of this site, I have added the site narrative from the original nomination form sent to me by John P. Byrne, National Register Database Manager (John_Byrne@nps.gov), Department of the Interior. This narrative was created March 16, 1979, mailed in to Washington, D.C. and evaluated April 18, 1980 and finally approved on July 21, 1982. Thanks to this designation and the efforts of the community to stop developers in the early 70s, Haddonfield is permanently protected and is one of the best example of an intact Colonial America.
Historic Site At Grove Street Boundary of Historic District
Site of the first schoolhouse in Haddonfield, marked by the local chapter of the DAR with a plaque on an old original tree which reads: deeded by William E. Hopkins from land which came down through the family from Elizabeth Haddon and here the Grove School was built. Mr. Hopkins wanted all the children of the village to have educational opportunity. Up to that time, the Friends was the only school in Haddonfield. On July 7th, 1855, the Old Grove School became the first public school in Haddonfield. It was understood that any religious group could hold service here and three of our churches met and were organized in the Grove School; The Baptist - 1818, The Methodist - 1829, the Episcopal - 1842.
--- National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Haddonfield Historic District Nomination Form
Compare the 1979 description to the 2010 and one will note several changes to the physical environment and to the text on the marker. It is kind of interesting.
If you have half a mind to explore this waymark and the several hundred others in this historic area, go to this WEBSITE, you will see where all the free parking in town is located as well as all the other historical areas. Parking is available pretty much everywhere in this area.
If you are interested in learning more about this well-preserved historic district, you are encouraged to visit their WEBSITE.
