John Peck acquired his first piece of land in this area in 1842. He subsequently purchased more land and established two sawmills and two tanneries. The Peck homestead was acquired and a small settlement grew around the sawmills and tanneries, and the area came to be known as Peckville. A school was built by John Peck for the children of the workers and was privately operated by the Peck family until 1889 when School District #23 was formed, and the school was deeded to the district. Many of the first school teachers boarded at the Peck homestead. One of them, Julia Stevens, married a teamster who worked there, Curly Fountain.
At first the school consisted of only the main classroom and an outhouse. The school then had two windows on each side of the building. Later, New York State mandated that all windows should be on the south side to let in more light, so all the windows were moved. An addition was also constructed at the rear of the building and two chemical toilets were installed.
Each morning water was carried from a spring on the hill behind the school and put in the stone jug for drinking. Wood was brought in to fuel the stove. The oldest boy acted as the janitor and did these chores. There was no electricity until about 1938.
Early school records provide insights into simpler times. In 1886, the total tax bill for the district amounted to $130.82. In 1890, the teacher was paid $7.50 per week! A new stove and pipe was acquired to usher in the 20th century - it cost $7.00.
The school continued until 1959 when again the State stepped in and condemned all one-room country schools. The school property then reverted to Peck Family ownership, as it had been specified in the original 1889 deed from John Peck. The building was then converted for use as a residence.
In 1995, the property was donated by the Peck Family to the Historical Society so that the school could be restored, and serve as a reminder to today's generation of what country education was like in earlier times.
Most of the furnishings are the originals used until the closing of the school. The teacher's desk, wall maps, bookcase , recitation bench, stone jug and globe had been stored away for many years. It was thought that there were no books or records until the restoration process began. In searching through the attic; lo and behold; there were boxes and boxes of books and records, a Bible, a primitive bookcase, a globe and George Washington's picture!
A gravestone has now been placed to mark the Burial place of Elizabeth Dingman, (1852-1868), a young girl who perished in a fire long ago. Since the school was used also as a church in the early days, it was deemed a fitting resting place.
The Peck's Park Historical Society and Museum was started in June 1994 and fund raising projects were begun. The work progressed slowly until an auction in 1996 raised $4,000 and permitted more extensive restoration. With other fund raisers and a $3,000 grant from New York State, the restoration was completed in the summer of 1997. The restorative work included removing a partition to recreate the one room classroom, repairing and installing windows, removal of porch that was added, replacing the roof and a large section of floor and underpinnings, and extensive repairs to the original stone foundation. Complete interior and exterior painting put the finishing touches on the restoration process. Much of the work was performed by volunteers, and many of the materials were donated by local businesses, making this truly a community effort.
A nature trail, added in 1999, was planned and constructed as an Eagle Scout project by three Boy Scouts from Troop 7 of Gloversville, with the help of their families and other members of the troop. Another section of the nature trail was constructed in 2000, with a grant from NY State. Plants and trees will be identified, and plants indigenous to the area were be added. Benches, bird houses, and an observation platform are all part of the trail area.
It is hoped that in the future a small museum building will be added to the site, which will permit the display of additional artifacts from the period.
| NAME | DATES |
|---|---|
| Miss Walsh | 1882 |
| Miss Carlaren | 1882 |
| Jennie Dury | 1887 |
| Amelia Karg | 1890 |
| Jessica Laning | 1890 |
| Olive E. Smith | 1917-1918 |
| Mildred H. Farran | 1918-1919 |
| Julia Stevens Fountain | 1919-1923 |
| Marion Lamphier | 1923-1924 |
| Nancy Sitterly | 1924-1926 |
| Elizabeth Shear | 1926-1934 |
| Lawrence Seaman | 1934 |
| Marguerite Dennison | 1934-1935 |
| Kenneth Hartley | 1935-1937 |
| Vivian Oaksford Fisher | 1937-1942 |
| Charlotte D. Peck | 1943 |
| Betty Persse | 1944-1949 |
| Alice Houser | 1949-1950 |
| Olga Hann | 1950-1951 |
| Beverly Simon | 1951-1952 |
| Mary S. Brower | 1952-1955 |
| Madeline Edick | 1955-1956 |
The Schoolhouse and Museum will be open from 1-4 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June through September and at other times by appointment.
School groups are encouraged to visit and classes may be conducted in the museum by prior arrangement. Call (518) 725-6236
The Peck's Park Historical Society needs your support! You can become a member or perhaps volunteer to help on projects. Annual membership is $5 for a single membership; $10 for a family membership and $25 for a sustaining membership.
FEEDBACK WANTED! Questions or comments about the Historical Society can be eMailed to Sue Peck.