Memories from a Country Schoolhouse

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Memories from a Country Schoolhouse by John Quinn

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Who was this legendary one-room schoolhouse teacher?

Legendary Ladies enjoy
Recollections of Amenia Union and One-room Schoolhouses





























The Sharon Womens’ Club welcomed Indian Rock Schoolhouse to their April 18th meeting in Amenia Union. A group of Sharon women devoted to public service, these legendary ladies were a warm and interested audience for an Indian Rock trunk (in this case basket)show.
One of the previous and much-loved members of this organization of outstanding Sharon women was Kay (Humphreys) Kane, last school "ma'arm" of the Leedsville Schoolhouse

A short talk on the history of Amenia Union was presented before the illustrated lecture on the Amenia Union Schoolhouse (NYS side of the state line) and other nearby schoolhouses. The conversation quickly turned to legendary teachers of local schools on both sides of the State line.

One of the outstanding teachers in the Webutuck School District was Ella Staunton who began her career at the Amenia Union school. Ester Pollard and Bynon Kipp attended the Amenia Union School when Ella Staunton was a teacher there.

Ella Stauton’s name was very familiar to the assembled ladies of the Women’s Club. As we know Ella taught in several district schools, transferring to the brick high school, now known as the Amenia Elementary School when the Webutuck School District consolidated.



Another legendary teacher was mentioned: the unique Nettie Bump of South Amenia. Here is a topic where everyone has personal memories of the meanest, nicest, most special teacher at their school when they were children.


Thanks for inviting Indian Rock, Ladies!

It's Arbor Day again!

See you at Indian Rock for Arbor Day Fun – April 29 and 39th, 2010
First and second graders from the Amenia Elementary School will help Pine Cone Pete, in the person of Andy Durbridge, Rudy Eschbach and Beth Murphy (the Pine Cone Princess) at Indian Rock School’s two-day observance of Arbor Day on Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday May 1st.
While some of the children are planting trees, others will gather in the restored schoolhouse for an introduction to education in a one –room school and to talk about Arbor Day around the world with Miss Murphy.

Since the revival of the Arbor Day tradition on the grounds of the historic Indian Rock Schoolhouse, two flowering crab trees and five evergreens have been planted by Amenia school children. This year there will be white pines, thanks to Twin Brooks Garden Center in Millbrook, who have generously donated a trees to our efforts both this year and last.

Arbor Day 2007 – Mike O’Neil plants “his tree” with Pine Cone Pete and students.

Pine Cone Pete tells us that the trees will provide shelter for the birds in the winter in our wildlife schoolyard. The new shrubs planted last year will provide berries for them to eat.

We have invited many old friends to join us…and everyone is welcome. Parents, younger siblings, and friends are invited to both days of the celebration. Come around 11 am. Bring a bag lunch and drink to the picnic pavilion for a celebration of Indian Rock’s 150th birthday. There will be complementary birthday treats provided by our friends Joe McEnroe, the Bank of Millbrook and Freshtown of Amenia.