Wrightstown houses Bucks County’s last remaining octagonal schoolhouse, located at Swamp Road and Second Street Pike, writes Jeff Werner for the Patch.
The Wrightstown Township Historical Commission, which owns and maintains the property, hosts events from May to October. During their free open houses, locals can explore the inside of the historic building.
The schoolhouse was constructed on leased land in the early 1800s.
The building’s eight walls allowed sunlight to naturally brighten the space. This was ideal at a time when candles and oil lamps couldn’t provide sufficient light.
Seven smaller windows are located high up on the walls. The design ensured that the room was adequately lit and that students wouldn’t get distracted by the views outside. The space was heated during the winter by a small stove placed at its center.
More than 100 schools in the Delaware Valley were built in this octagonal, or “ink bottle” shape.
The Wrightstown school was operational from 1802 to 1850.
The commission will be hosting open house events on Sept. 21 and Oct. 19 from 1 to 5 PM.
Read more about the story behind Bucks County’s last octagonal schoolhouse and see how you can step inside this 19th-century landmark in the Patch.
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