ScotchtownHighlander.com

The Scotchtown Schoolhouse

By Dorothy Hunt-Ingrassia, Town of Wallkill Historian

In 1842 Jacob Mills offered a plot of land to the school board of District #9 for $20 to be used for a schoolhouse. His offer was accepted with the stipulation and agreement made with the school board that the land would be returned to the estate when it was no longer used as a school. The structure was built for a total cost of $400. At one time, the attendance at the school increased to a point that the 6th and 8th grades were held at the Mills home in Scotchtown. In 1942, after 100 years, the Scotchtown children were sent to Middletown and the old building ceased to be a schoolhouse. Six years later the property was turned over to the Mills Estate.

While serving as historian for the Town of Wallkill, Dorothy Hunt-Ingrassia has done extensive research into the history of the town's old schoolhouses. She put together a display for the Town Hall describing the eighteen schools that once served the Town of Wallkill and has worked to preserve the oral traditions of many former students. She was also kind enough to write this brief article and provide photos for use on this web site.