[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/2″]In Harford Township a couple of old buildings stand quietly on Orphan Road. The kind of buildings you wouldn’t think twice about when passing by.  For the members of the Harford Historical Society, these seemingly ordinary buildings represent almost two centuries worth of history. And since taking control of the property in 1987, this all volunteer organization has continued to preserve its historical essence.
[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”4967″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”https://wellsaidcabot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Orphan-School.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Cabot recently partnered with the Historical Society to help with some restoration work on the property. Through this partnership, we learned a lot. Here is a brief recap:
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In 1817 Lyman Richardson started holding classes for students in the attic of this house. The area did have a school, one of those famous one-room buildings, where students could get a basic education; so Richardson offered his classes to anyone looking to continue their education after outgrowing the schoolhouse. Eventually Richardson’s classes outgrew his attic forcing him to build another building: Franklin Hall.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In 1836, the Pennsylvania Legislature granted Richardson a charter and formally recognized the property as Franklin Academy. Now the school functioned more formally as high school preparing students for agricultural and mechanical career paths or even college.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”4970″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”https://wellsaidcabot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Galusha_Grow.png” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In 1850 the state, recognizing the quality of Richardson’s instruction, transformed Franklin Academy into Harford University. During this time, the school expanded and started to offer more to its students. Graduates from Harford University include: a former Supreme Court Justice, John W. Kephart; attorneys; a governor; a prominent railroad owner and even a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Galusha A. Grow.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]By 1865 times were changing. Public schools were becoming more popular and Richardson, after 50 years of service, was ready to retire. Additionally, Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin started fulfilling his promise to foster children of soldiers who died during the Civil War by creating a system Schools in the state to provide food, clothing and education. Charles W. Dean purchased the school from Richardson and turned it into the Soldier’s Orphan School of Harford. Soon over 200 children were enrolled at the school.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In 1902 the school closed for good as the property was bought by Glen and Leda Adams Rohdes who decided to farm the land. In 1987, their children donated the property to the Harford Historical Society.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]So next time you’re in Harford, take a swing by the school on Orphan Road. The Historical Society has done an amazing job preserving artifacts and pictures. Another thing to keep in mind is the annual Harford Historical Strawberry Festival which celebrates this unique history. Proceeds from this event help the society continue its mission of preserving the historical site.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]