Wissahickon Valley Historical Society Gets $30K Grant To Repair Historic School Building

WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society has received a state grant to help upgrade a local historic schoolhouse building.

The $30,000 state grant, administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, was announced Monday by the office of Montgomery County Democratic State Rep. Liz Hanbidge.

The funding is expected to help pay for repairs to the Franklinville School, a circa 1858 one-room schoolhouse building that is in need of roof work as well as repairs to the porches, HVAC system and cosmetic upgrades.

"Since 1858, the Franklinville School has withstood the test of time, and has remained an integral part of Montgomery County's story for the last 164 years," Hanbidge said in a statement. "These grant dollars will make certain that this historic building continues to be deeply woven into the fabric of our community for generations to come."

The school, which is located on Morris Road and was once part of the historic Normandy Farms, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its role as both a school and early 20th century community center, according to the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society.

The society said the first phase of renovations to the building had previously been completed, which included electrical work, improved site drainage and waterproofing the foundation of the building.

In addition to state grant dollars, private funding has also come through from individual donors, according to the society.

The group says that once all the renovations are complete, the building will be used to educate students and community members on the "history and customs of our area," its website states.