Union School
Encyclopedia
The Union School is a historic building located at 516-518 Bethlehem Pike
in Fort Washington
, Pennsylvania
, in the United States
.
Built in 1773, the Union School was one of the very earliest public schools
in Pennsylvania
, and the first that did not discriminate based on social position or religious preference.
As part of his will, local Quaker businessman Samuel Morris stipulated that a sum of money from his estate be set for the building of a school and a teacher's salary. The school was to provide for free education for all within a 1½-mile radius of Hope Lodge
, his country mansion. After Morris' death in 1770, his brother Joshua had the school built. In 1792, the Union School was incorporated as the Union School in Whitemarsh. The school was in continuous use from 1773 until 1936, except for a brief period in 1873 when it served as a lyceum
. The trust fund established by Samuel Morris remains in existence today, supporting education in the townships of Whitpain
, Whitemarsh
and Upper Dublin
in Pennsylvania
.
The Union School is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
.
Today, the Union School building is a privately owned residence. However, the museum of the Fort Washington Historical Society in the Clifton House
contains a replica of the school room.
Bethlehem Pike
Bethlehem Pike is a historic 41 mi long road in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, connecting Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It began as a Native American path called the Minsi Trail which evolved into a colonial highway called the King's Road in the 1760s. Most of the route...
in Fort Washington
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Fort Washington is an unincorporated census-designated place and suburb of Philadelphia in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,446 at the 2010 census.-Prior to the Revolutionary War:...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Built in 1773, the Union School was one of the very earliest public schools
Education in the United States
Education in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory.Public education is universally available...
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and the first that did not discriminate based on social position or religious preference.
As part of his will, local Quaker businessman Samuel Morris stipulated that a sum of money from his estate be set for the building of a school and a teacher's salary. The school was to provide for free education for all within a 1½-mile radius of Hope Lodge
Hope Lodge
Hope Lodge is a historic building located at 553 South Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States.-History:Originally named "Whitemarsh Estate," Hope Lodge is a Georgian country mansion built between 1743 and 1748 by Quaker businessman Samuel Morris and designed by...
, his country mansion. After Morris' death in 1770, his brother Joshua had the school built. In 1792, the Union School was incorporated as the Union School in Whitemarsh. The school was in continuous use from 1773 until 1936, except for a brief period in 1873 when it served as a lyceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
. The trust fund established by Samuel Morris remains in existence today, supporting education in the townships of Whitpain
Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania
Whitpain Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1701, it has grown to a total population of 18,875 as of the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, Whitemarsh
Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania
Whitemarsh Township is a Home Rule Municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. However, it maintains its former classification of "Township" in its official name. The population was 17,349 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and Upper Dublin
Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania
Upper Dublin Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,569 at the 2010 census.Upper Dublin is made up of several community areas, many of which are unincorporated areas in Montgomery County with no legal status, and are used primarily by the US...
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
The Union School is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Today, the Union School building is a privately owned residence. However, the museum of the Fort Washington Historical Society in the Clifton House
Clifton House
Clifton House is a historic building located at 473 Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.During the autumn of 1777, Washington's Continental Army spent six weeks camped at nearby Whitemarsh...
contains a replica of the school room.