Clarksburg in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to Froggy Hollow
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2016
1. Welcome to Froggy Hollow Marker
Inscription.
Welcome to Froggy Hollow. . This area was named in honor of the large and loud frog population around Little Bennett Creek. Before Kingsley School was built, white children living on nearby. were sent to neighboring community schools. With no bus transportation, students had to walk quite a distance through back woods to get to school. The local African American children attended classes at the old Hyattstown Christian Church since public facilities were segregated by race in Montgomery County until 1961. , A group of concerned parents appealed to the County for the construction of a new local school, which opened here in September 1893. The school was named after the Kings a prominent family in the area. Kingsley school remained open until 1935 when low enrollment during the Great Depression forced it to close., The classroom was sparsely furnished with a slate chalkboard, simple wooden desks, a globe, and a Victrola record player. A wood burning stove heated the classroom. Bathroom facilities were separate outhouses for boys and girls located directly outside the schoolhouse. , The playground was behind the building and included swings and seesaws. If weather permitted, the boys and girls played baseball, softball, dodge ball and engaged in other activities like fishing, ice skating, and sledding. Each school day would end the same way it began, with the ringing of the school bell. , Restoring the Past, The Kingsley School was built with funds provided by the State of Maryland. There was only enough money for basic construction materials to build a simple, one-room building., There have been many changes to this building over the years. After the school closed, the structure was in private hands until 1964 when Montgomery Parks acquired this property. In recognition of the historical significance of this century old structure, Montgomery Parks began renovations in 2008. Park historians used a combination of recorded interviews with former students and area residents, old photographs, and archived documents to revive this school to its 1920s appearance., During renovation, the deteriorated windows and exterior framing were replaced. The cloakrooms were reconstructed. A new wood floor replaced the missing original one, and the slate chalkboard was repaired. The schoolhouse was given a fresh coat of paint using historically accurate colors.
This area was named in honor of the large and loud frog population around Little Bennett Creek. Before Kingsley School was built, white children living on nearby. were sent to neighboring community schools. With no bus transportation, students had to walk quite a distance through back woods to get to school. The local African American children attended classes at the old Hyattstown Christian Church since public facilities were segregated by race in Montgomery County until 1961.
A group of concerned parents appealed to the County for the construction of a new local school, which opened here in September 1893. The school was named after the Kings a prominent family in the area. Kingsley school remained open until 1935 when low enrollment during the Great Depression forced it to close.
The classroom was sparsely furnished with a slate chalkboard, simple wooden desks, a globe, and a Victrola record player. A wood burning stove heated the classroom. Bathroom facilities were separate outhouses for boys and girls located directly outside the schoolhouse.
The playground was behind the building and included swings and seesaws. If weather permitted, the boys and girls played baseball, softball, dodge ball and engaged in other activities like fishing, ice skating, and sledding. Each school day would end the same
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way it began, with the ringing of the school bell.
Restoring the Past
The Kingsley School was built with funds provided by the State of Maryland. There was only enough money for basic construction materials to build a simple, one-room building.
There have been many changes to this building over the years. After the school closed, the structure was in private hands until 1964 when Montgomery Parks acquired this property. In recognition of the historical significance of this century old structure, Montgomery Parks began renovations in 2008. Park historians used a combination of recorded interviews with former students and area residents, old photographs, and archived documents to revive this school to its 1920s appearance.
During renovation, the deteriorated windows and exterior framing were replaced. The cloakrooms were reconstructed. A new wood floor replaced the missing original one, and the slate chalkboard was repaired. The schoolhouse was given a fresh coat of paint using historically accurate colors.
Erected by Montgomery Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1893.
Location. 39° 15.869′ N, 77° 16.703′ W. Marker is in Clarksburg, Maryland, in Montgomery County
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2016
2. Welcome to Froggy Hollow Marker
. Marker can be reached from Kingsley Road. "The schoolhouse is a 3/4 mile walk along the Kingsley Trail, a flat gravel lane.". Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clarksburg MD 20871, United States of America. Touch for directions.
With a lunch pail on the desk behind her, a young volunteer reenacts a normal day at the Kingsley Schoolhouse.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2016
5. What would your school day be like
if you were a student at Kingsley School over 100 years ago.
9 o'clock in the morning - the school bell rings o signal the start of the day for the children who all walked to school.
Lessons focused on the basics - reading, writing and arithmetic. All subjects taught by the same teacher whose students ranged from grades 1 through 7. Each day included an hour long lunch and two 15 minute breaks.
4 o'clock in the afternoon - students returned home to do their chores and homework.
No classes were taught during the summer. Most students were needed at home to help on the family farm.
Close-up of sidebar on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2016
6. Country School 1871 by Winslow Homer
Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 30, 2016
7. The original 1892 version of the Pledge of Allegiance Inside the Kingley Schoolhouse
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
In 1923 “my Flag” was changed to “The Flag of the United States” and in 1954 “under God” was added after “one nation”.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 528 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 11, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on August 21, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.