Rudy's school house was purchased by the Kreutz Creek Valley
Preservation Society in 1997. Rudy's school, circa 1865, is a one
room brick school house located along the Lincoln Highway, one
half mile east of Hallam Borough. The facility houses the
collection of historical records, artifacts and items that have
been donated for the enjoyment and benefit of all.
The museum will be open on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm or by appointment.
Phone (717) 755-3777 or (717) 252-4454
In 1834 "an act to establish a general system of
education by common schools" was signed into law in
Pennsylvania supported by Governor George Wolf and Thaddeus
Stevens, representative from Adams County. In York, a convention
of delegates and commissioners from all of the townships held a
vote for approval. Only five townships and the borough of York
voted to accept the act. Two years later, in 1836 additional
townships, including Hellam represented by James E. Mifflin,
agreed to support the system of common schools.
The Rudy School was one of several established in Hellam
Township. In 1839 a wooden school was built on land donated by
Rudy and Stoner. In 1847 William Dietz Sr. at the age of 18,
graduated from Rudy School under a teacher named Mr. Haugh. The
school is found on county maps as early as 1860. In 1865, a brick
school was built using the foundation stone and wood from the
first school. Rudy School was closed in 1951 when the area
schools were consolidated into the Kreutz Creek Elementary
School. At that time, the Lentz family of Dallastown converted
the building into a home. In 1954, the Selak family moved in and
were the owners until 1996 when Donald Selak passed away. The
Kreutz Creek Valley Preservation Society purchased the property
in 1997 to house the collection of records and items donated to
the organization. On September 9,2000 the school, as a museum,
was opened to the public.
Teachers of Record at Rudy's School
1923 - 25 Mame Strickler
1932 - 33 Margaret Holtzinger
1925 - 26 Anna Lehman
1926 - 29 Catherine Wallick
1929 - 30 Catherine Kadilak
1930 - 31 Lamar Inners
1931 - 32 No record
1932 - 33 Margaret Holtzinger
1933 - 34 Martha Fisher
1934 - 41 William R. Burg
1941 - 43 Naomi Montgomery
1943 - 44 Esther Hollinger
1944 - 51 Mary Miller