Did You KNOW?

West Mt. Airy Neighbors Historic Preservation Initiative

Mt. Airy has a distinct character due to its diversity, civically engaged people, the natural beauty of and around the Wissahickon Valley, and its historic architecture spanning nearly 300 years. The factors that make this place special require dedicated and active stewardship.

This colonial style building on germantoWn Avenue, which was most recently occupied by Alena’s Cafe, was built around 1740 as a single-room schoolhouse with one and a half stories. “Beggarstown” School taught basic skills like reading, writing and arithmetic — a less sophisticated education than was offered by some schools in the area at the time. The interior was altered in 1840, then restored in 1915, but other than a few floorboards, little of the original interior remains. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and is a “contributing building” in the Colonial Germantown Historic District.

This colonial style building on Germantown Avenue, which was most recently occupied by Alena’s Cafe, was built around 1740 as a single-room schoolhouse with one and a half stories. “Beggarstown” School taught basic skills like reading, writing and arithmetic — a less sophisticated education than was offered by some schools in the area at the time. The interior was altered in 1840, then restored in 1915, but other than a few floorboards, little of the original interior remains. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and is a “contributing building” in the Colonial Germantown Historic District.

Preserving our historic resources is the focus of West Mount Airy Neighbors Historic Preservation Initiative. The goal of the WMAN Historic Preservation Initiative is to identify the character-defining features of the community and take a proactive stance to recognize and protect the historic built environment for the future.

For more information contact wmanhpi@gmail.com.

—Monica Gonzalez

in Roxborough schuylkillcenter.org

(215) 853-6294