Fishing Creek Schoolhouse Celebrates Reopening with Reception

VILLAS – A reception and ceremony Oct. 12 will mark the rededication of an historic, one room schoolhouse in Lower Township for both educational and community use. According to The Friends of Fishing Creek School Inc., the white clapboard building on Bayshore Avenue is the only remaining one room schoolhouse in the area and is on both the National and N.J. State Historic Registers. Resembling an old church, this school replaced the original log school that existed on Fulling Mill Road prior to the construction of the current building in 1888.
In 1926, the Leckey family purchased the building and converted it into a three bedroom summer home until the 1990s when the family cooperated with local officials to preserve it’s heritage as an historic building. In 2002, the school was purchased by the State Green Acres program and leased to Lower Township for a 20-year period.
Mayor Norris Clark noted that the township received a New Jersey “Small Cities” grant to complete the restoration of the building for 2014; final touches are now in progress to have the school ready for the October opening. Clark sees this little building as playing a significant role in local community activity. He described the concept of the re-opening as “the intersection of the community and educational programs.”
Clark spoke about an early preschool program that enables three and four year olds to acclimate to their new preschool environment by meeting with their new teachers, with their parents. Plans call for many of these meetings to be held in the old schoolhouse.
Clark further emphasized the 19th century school’s return to its educational role as central to its continued importance as a community meeting place, as well as a venue for cultural events like art shows, exhibits and possibly even weddings and other events. He added that it may become a Chamber of Commerce welcome center as well.
John Louderback, chairman of the Friends of Fishing Creek School also described the Oct. 12 event as a re-opening and rededication in the sense that this educational jewel will continue to contribute to the community’s educational future after over 125 years of service. Louderback added that a formal reception will be held at the school from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 for Lower Township dignitaries and major sponsors, and that the general public will be urged to attend the re-opening to learn about the programs to be sponsored there and to enjoy free hot dogs, pizza and drinks.
Interested persons who would like to offer financial or other support to the schoolhouse foundation may inquire at www.fishingcreekschool.org.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.