Charles Imboden, teacher, standing on Derry Church Schoolhouse porch, 1910 In 1865 Henry Moyer, a teacher for Rock Ridge School, received $18 a month. The school year was short, often just three or four months in length. Children were often kept home to work in the field or barn, especially at planting and harvest time. One room schools in rural Pennsylvania were often poorly ventilated, badly equipped, over crowded and noisy. Balsbaugh poses with his class, Rockridge School, 1900 One Room Schools: 19th century education in Derry Township Mr.

His support continued after his death with trust funds created to support educational opportunities in Hershey and to help defray the cost of public education. While Milton Hershey is best known for the establishment and funding of Milton Hershey School, during his lifetime Milton Hershey supported public education in Derry Township with both financial and structural gifts. Just as important were his provisions to educate his workers’ families. Plans for the town included comfortable, well-built housing, a wide array of services including utilities, good roads, phone service, clean water and public transportation to provide a sense of freedom for his workers.

Milton Hershey desired to build a town that was both functional and attractive. When he broke ground on Mafor his new chocolate factory, he also was making plans to build a model industrial town for his workers. Milton Hershey had a profound impact on the region. Milton Hershey and the Derry Township Public Schools Posted OctoIntroduction Evolution of Derry Township Public Schools, 1880-1914ĭerry Township’s economy before Milton Hershey returned to build his chocolate factory was primarily agricultural, supplemented by a small group of commercial businesses, ranging from grain mills to stone quarries.

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