The words of Kutztown Area High School Guidance Counselor, Andrews Brett, who was a student at the Albany Township Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade, hit a chord with the large crowd gathered for the school’s farewell ceremonies on the evening of July 10.
“The township’s children were nurtured by a loving, caring staff,” said Brett.
The Albany Township Historical Society hosted the event to allow the community to bid good bye to Albany Elementary School before the property was auctioned on July 11. The property was bought by Abraham Atiyeh for $400,000.
Teachers from years gone by, as well as teachers who left as the school’s doors were closed in 2013, were invited to the front of the audience for an official tribute.
A group of more than 200 past students, staff, and family members gathered to bid farewell to a building, which was according to Brett, “something that is near and dear to us.”
Kutztown Area School District Superintendent Katherine Metrick described Albany Elementary as a “small, but mighty school” that was responsible for “changing the destiny of the children within.”
The school building was opened for visitors to reminisce prior to the outdoor program at the front of the property along Route 737 in Kempton. Ethel George, age 96, of Lenhartsville, was the secretary of Albany Elementary from 1967-1981. She and her son, Eric George, Hamburg, explored the halls and shared memories. As Ethel George described, as a school secretary, she “did everything.”
The secretary from 2000 until the building closed in 2013, Judy Heffley, was also on-site with her husband Colin Heffley. Judy talked about her experience in the office.
“I liked the school because it was small. I knew all the children. The parents were supportive and it was a great staff. I will miss Albany.”
The Albany Township Historical Society was instrumental in their support of the farewell to the school and the preservation of photos and documents. The group was represented in the former office and faculty room of Albany Elementary by Board Member Dotty Brett, Treasurer Lisa Jeffrey, Vice President Jon Bond, and Historian John Robertson. Displayed in the room were books for sale by the Historical Society that not only included their photographic history book of the area, but also their cookbook, that includes artwork and chapter forwards created by Albany teacher, the late Gladys Lutz.
Historical Society Vice President Bond was given the honor of opening the time capsule that was sealed at the beginning of Albany Township Elementary School’s inception in 1958. Bond soon discovered, as he was surrounded in a cloud of dust, that the concrete vault contained a sealed copper vault. He proceeded to pry open the copper vault, creating an atmosphere of suspense among the on-lookers. Bond invited students from each decade, starting in the 1950s, to remove items from the copper container that bore the inscription, “Albany School.”
The first item to come to light after more than 50 years was a small, sealed American Flag from the 1950s. Other treasures that were removed from the time capsule by former students were a program from the original school dedication, a Reading Eagle from October 1958 with a headline stating that a U.S. rocket was off course, a school menu from the day, photos of several classes, the New Testament with a 1957 Ben Franklin half dollar taped on its back, and several school and administrative rosters. All objects were placed in a display case, retained by the Historical Society for careful preservation.
While the sun set over a piece of local history, Girl Scouts and Brownies were on hand to retire the Albany Township Elementary School American flag. Bond’s words set the stage for the final good-bye as he stated, “Our school is closing, but our memories survive.”
For more information about the Albany Township Historical Society, visit their website at www.albanyths.org.
