150th Anniversary Exhibit and Reception Announced
Allentown, PA (February 25, 2016) On March 1, the Allentown School District and the Liberty Bell Museum will celebrate the District’s 150th Anniversary with an exhibit: “The 3Rs to S.T.E.A.M ~ 150 Years in the Allentown School District.” The exhibit is open to the public through June 1. An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, March 1, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The history of education in Allentown goes back to the 1770s when the old Zion’s Reformed Church was used as the first school house in Allentown. “Churches always have played an important role promoting education,” explains the Rev. Bob Stevens. “So it was natural that the church would offer its facilities for public education classes.”
In 1858, the first high school was established on South Penn Street and was composed of 14 students. However, it was not until 1866 when the first meeting of the Allentown School District Board of Controllers officially formed the district. The Board of Controllers (now called the Allentown School District School Board) was comprised of six directors in each of Allentown’s five wards. With 30 classes of students, the District set forth to educating the young citizens of the City of Allentown.
“We’ve come a long way from our humble beginnings,” states Dr. Russell Mayo, Superintendent of the Allentown School District. “Today, our District serves more than 16,000 students in 22 schools and 4 academic program facilities. We are excited to celebrate our rich history and pleased to show it off to the community through this exhibit.”
Over the past 150 years, the district has seen many changes. The exhibit at the Liberty Bell Museum showcases many of those changes. There is a timeline filled with pictures of the district from the late 1800s through present day. Many schools loaned artifacts to be displayed and graduates from the district also loaned personal mementos from their time in the district. Today, the District’s 22 schools and 4 academic facilities consists of 3 high schools; 4 middle schools; 14 elementary schools, an early childhood center (Kindergarten only), Newcomer Academy (serving students attending a US school for the first time); William Penn Building and Jackson Building (providing Alternative Education for high school and middle school students, respectfully); and the ASD Virtual Academy.
The Liberty Bell Museum and the Allentown School District have collaborated on initiatives for many years. “We enjoy welcoming the third grade students as part of our educational programming,” says Sara Jane Brace, Executive Director, “so this exhibit allows us to open the doors to every student in the district to learn a little more about their past.” Graduates are invited to bring a picture of themselves to the museum to be included on the “Faces of Allentown School District” wall and see if they recognize any of their classmates.
The concept of showcasing the District’s 150 years of education came from Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch, a former ASD principal and current board member at the Liberty Bell Museum.
The Liberty Bell Museum is located at 622 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown. The exhibit can be viewed during museum hours: Monday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and the second Sunday of the month from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission is $2/adults; $1/children (5-17 years); Free/children (4 years and under); and Free/Liberty Bell Members. The museum is handicapped accessible.
About Liberty Bell Museum
The Liberty Bell Museum is home of an exact replica copy of the Liberty Bell, Wilmer Behler’s hand-painted mural telling the story of the hiding of the bells, Allentown’s own “liberty bell,” cast in 1769, Revolutionary War and Colonial America exhibits, and “Pip the Colonial Mouse.” Located in historic Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, Allentown, Pa, the Liberty Bell Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places. The site of the first church in Allentown, it was used as a refuge during Indian raids, a revolutionary war hospital, a gathering place for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and more. For more information, go to http://libertybellmuseum.org/
About Allentown School District
ASD serves more than 16,000 students in a network of 22 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools located throughout the City of Allentown, PA. The Allentown School District is the third largest urban school district out of 500 districts in the Commonwealth. A shared vision of the community, parents, guardians, staff and faculty focuses on “Empowering Students for Life,” providing ASD students with the skills and academics they need to realize their aspirations whether they be college, career or technical focus. ASD goals are aligned and compatible with the Pathways to Success Framework while providing a balanced education to all students. Allentown School District employs approximately 2,200 teachers, staff and administrators. The District, founded in 1866 and celebrating its Sesquicentennial throughout 2015-2016, serves students from 43 countries speaking 26 languages with nearly 90 percent of households qualifying as low income. ASD is committed to providing safe learning environments in which all students have equal access to education programs and resources. www.allentownsd.org
Information provided by:
Kimberly Golden Benner
Director of Communications
Allentown School District
