Port Penn in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Port Penn Schoolhouse
Symbol of the Community
— The Village of Port Penn —
Eight grades of students attended classes in the two rooms of this school. The schoolhouse had a coal stove, outdoor privy and a well. Because of segregation, Port Penn's African-American children were educated in a separate school on Port Penn Road. After it closed in 1961, the building served for a time as a bait shop. In 1975, it reopened as the Port Penn Museum, a symbol of the community's history and way of life.
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State Stewardship: Linking People, Culture and Environment
After operating the museum for fifteen years, the Port Penn Area Historical Society transferred the schoolhouse museum to the Division of Parks and Recreation in 1991. It now serves as the cornerstone of the Delaware Folklife Program's mission to document and interpret Delaware's local culture. Port Penn's marshland and ways of life remain a focus of the Division's interpretive programs.
Erected by The Village of Port Penn. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.
Location. 39° 31.048′ N, 75° 34.771′ W. Marker is in Port Penn, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is at the intersection of West Market Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Cannery Lot (a few steps from this marker); Village of Port Penn (within shouting distance of this marker); Canary-Naudine House & Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Webb-Jefferson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Stewart-Cox House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel Carpenter House (about 300 feet away); Thomas Cleaver House (about 400 feet away); Site of Margaret Darrach House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Penn.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker, which has slightly different content.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2021
4. National Register of Historic Places plaque for the schoolhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on January 2, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
