Call Number:

08

Repository:

Concord Township Historical Society

Extent:

2.25 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1890-2003 (inclusive)

Creator:

Pennington, Beulah Newlin, 1896-1990

Abstract:

Beulah Newlin Pennington (1896-1990), who was born and lived all her life in Concord Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, taught in public schools there for 45 years before retiring in 1966. Concord Elementary School was renamed The Pennington School in her honor. The Beulah Newlin Pennington papers, 1890-2003, primarily consist of materials relating to Pennington's work as a teacher in Concord, personal papers, and some local history research materials.

Beulah Newlin Pennington (1896-1990) was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Liddie) Husbands Newlin and a direct descendant of Nicholas Newlin, who immigrated to the United States in 1682. Pennington was born in Concord Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania and lived there all her life. Working as a public school teacher for most of her years, Pennington was significantly involved in education throughout the township and county. At times in her life she taught piano, tutored students, and was active in the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.

Pennington began her career as a public school teacher in 1921 after the death of her husband, Frank H. Pennington (born 1892). A graduate of West Chester University, she taught briefly at several different schools before spending twenty-two years teaching all of the grades in a one-room, red brick schoolhouse in Concord on Kirk Road known as Number Five. She retired from Concord Elementary School in 1966 after teaching for 45 years. Concord Elementary was renamed The Pennington School in her honor.

Pennington was heavily involved in the Quaker and Methodist religious communities of the area. She served on the boards of both Chichester and Concord Friends Meetings, and later taught Sunday school at Elam United Methodist Church. She was also an active member of several history organizations, including the Delaware County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames Society, the Concord Township Historical Society, and the Christian Sanderson Museum Group (from whom she received special recognition during the 200th anniversary of the Battle of the Brandywine).

Bibliography:

"Beulah Newlin Pennington, 94, Active in Historical Groups." Delaware County Daily Times. October 31, 1990. Obituary found in collection.

Reynold, Dorothea L. "Profile of the Week: Beulah Newlin Pennington." Town Talk. 1979. Clipping found in collection.

This collection primarily consists of materials relating to Pennington's work as a teacher in Concord as well as personal papers and some local history research materials relating to her involvement with the Concord Township Historical Society. Work-related materials include: lesson plans, grade books, Pennington's writings about her experiences as a teacher, photographs of the one-room schoolhouse where she taught and of some of her classes, Concord School treasurer's book, and copies of pamphlets and books that Pennington may have used in her classroom. Personal papers include a large number of photographs of the Pennington family and related families as well as few of Beulah Newlin Pennington. There are also newspaper clippings about Pennington, some items from when Pennington herself was a student, and a few letters. Some newspaper clippings and other items relating to Pennington's life and legacy were added to the collection after her death.