Bethel Grove Schoolhouse

Historical Marker for Bethel Grove School
The Ithaca Journal, Jan 24 2009, P. 13, Col. 5., with tentative design for plaque

Town of Dryden

2009

 "The Town of Dryden has agreed to sponsor a historical marker (tentative design seen above) to be placed at 1706 Slaterville Road to commemorate the old school that served the Bethel Grove Community from 1851 to 1959. Contributions toward the marker can be sent to Molly Adams, P.O. Box 86, Brooktondale, NY 14817; or to the Town of Dryden at 15 W. Main St., Dryden, NY 13053 (write "Bethel Grove Marker" in the memo line)."

Note: The final line, about the building as a residence is not on the sign as installed.

History of Bethel Grove School (when it closed in 1959)
The Ithaca Journal, Jun 15 1959 P. 5. Cols.1-5, with photos from 1897, ~1915, and 1959

"Taxes Tell School's History
  BETHEL GROVE - In 1887, the biggest taxpayer in the Bethel Grove School District was the EC&N Railroad, with an assessed valuation of $7,290. The railroad paid $16.03 in school taxes that year.
  Altogether, there was a total of $45,735 in assessments, and a total tax collected of $100.85.
  These figures are among historical details on the district which have been gathered for the homecoming celebration at the school, to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday.
  Occasion for the get-together of as many as possible of the school's former pupils and teachers is the closing of the school at the end of this year by the Ithaca School District, of which it is now a part.

  The district has had a school on the present site for 109 years. Any former pupils, teachers or anyone who has had any connection with the school, who have any old pictures, maps, composition books, are asked to bring them to the re-union.
  Mrs. Percy Watros of 1726 Slaterville Rd., a former clerk of the district, has made a collection of old records and pictures.

  It was in 1847 that the School Board resolved to build a new school on a new site, and the old site was sold for $76.25.
  In 185l a new site was bought for the sum of $75, and the district voted $200 to be raised by taxation to build a new school.
  In 1887, school was convened for 34 weeks, and the total cost was $5.50 per week.
  In 1897, the first Janitor was hired by the district. James Hollister took the job for $3 a year.
  Inflation set in, though, and by 1911 the district's minutes reported that "the janitor work was sold to Aubrey Marion for $35."
  In 1940, there was discussion of putting an addition on the school, but the following year it was decided that because because consolidation was under consideration, no action would be taken on putting on an addition.
  In 1954 there was still no consolidation, so the district voters decided to build the addition. Two years later the voters decided to become part of the Ithaca School District."

Three Rural Schools Sold (Bethel Grove, Inlet Valley, and Caroline Center)
The Ithaca Journal, Jun 14 1960, P. 3, Col.1

 "The Board of Education approved three high bids for three rural schools no longer in use and auctioned off last week.
  The Bethel Grove School will be sold to Ora Smith, 1739 Slaterville Rd., for $6,000; the Inlet Valley School to Richard Berggren, 985 Cliff St., for $4,100; and the Caroline Center School to Philip Dorf of Newfield for $850.
  Superintendent of Schools William L. Gragg, said the district had hoped to get about $7,500 for the Inlet Valley School but real estate appraisers contacted by his office set a full market value of $4,500 for the property."

Golden Days of Tree Tag and ABC's [at Bethel Grove School]
Glance Backward, by Barbara Bell
The Ithaca Journal, Sep 13 1975, P. 10, with photos

Extracts:
'When Bethel Grove "fans" held a reunion to observe the end of the school era there, some former pupils who could not attend sent written recollections. This is from Elsie Phillips Lewis:

...

  In the early years, the school year was divided into two separate terms; public funds were usually allocated along with road funds for the winter term and the rest for summer. There was a most practical reason for this division of terms. The older children were apt to be vital to family farm operations. This way, they could help during the planting and harvest seasons without missing school. I suspect that it was a help to the woman of the house to have the younger children in school during the busy growing season, too.
...
  When the Bethel Grove School started, each family was to provide a quarter of a cord of wood for each schollar (as it was then spelled), to be a suitable size for the stove and delivered whenever the trustee requested. The pay for the teacher, that year, was $47.
  There were, later, times when the wood would be purchased by bid. There never was a country school but had its problems getting the wood delivered on time, of the right size for the fireplace or stove, and of a good heating quality.
  Wheeler Grant was the first librarian in this school, a duty he performed several terms. He also served the District as trustee and clerk Another man who assisted in several ways for several years was Garrett Schoonmaker.
  There were others, of course, including Samuel Halliday who was a lawyer, bank director and New York State assemblyman during his career.
  The name of Marion, still well-known as a Bethel Grove neighbor, appeared frequently in the school records, too.
  It was 1882 before a woman was elected to the school district board and then there were two. One was Mrs. William Hungerford, trustee. The other was Mrs. Laucretia Phillips, clerk.
  Having a library was considered quite a plus in a rural school. More than one district meeting grew rough as residents argued about the merits of investing money this way. When the one got underway in the Bethel Grove School, rules specified purchase of children's books "of juvenile nature only." This meant no light and frivolous tales or romances. Also not allowed were books "imbued with party politics or religion.'