BERINGER-CALDWELL ONE-ROOM SCHOOL TO OPEN FOR SEASON

The Mercer County Historical Society is pleased to announce the season opening of the Caldwell One-Room School, located on the Mercer-Greenville Road, halfway between Mercer and Greenville. Beginning on Sunday, May 29, the school will be open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. through Labor Day.

The Caldwell One-Room School represents over 300 one-room schools throughout Mercer County history. The building houses many artifacts, books, and other memorabilia that tell the story of how rural Americans were educated prior to the consolidation of schools in the mid 1900’s. The schoolhouse was previously under the direction of the late Mae “Joannie Appleseed” Beringer, who, along with her husband Harry, welcomed guests to the school on Sundays for over forty years. With Mrs. Beringer’s death in 2009 at the age of 100 years, members of the Mercer County Chapter of PA School Retirees (MCPASR) have volunteered to staff the schoolhouse. They will be on hand to answer questions about one-room school education, along with help from MCHS interns. Also of interest is the Teachers’ Garden that surround the schoolhouse, and the outdoor oven and colonial fireplace on the grounds. 

This year, with the help of volunteers, the Historical Society has scanned all of the photos and archives from the One-Room School. Copies of these will be available on DVDs at the schoolhouse. We will also have copies of Mrs. Beringer’s The Mercer County One-Room School Story 1800-1960 available for $35.00 plus tax.

The Caldwell One-Room School is owned and operated by the Mercer County Historical Society. It is free and open to the public. For more information, or to schedule a group tour on a day other than Sunday, please call our office at 724-662-3490.