Alumni of the Aquashicola School came together to celebrate their class reunion and offer a little piece of history to the Palmerton Historical Society on Saturday.

The class of the old school, which officially shut its doors in 1965, have reunited every other year since the ’70s. This year’s festivities, however, included more than just the standard catching up and rehashing of old stories, with the donation of a plaque from their alma mater to Palmerton’s Historical Society.

Before the presentation began, alumna Carol Hahn Simcoe started the event just like any other school day at Aquashicola.

“This is how we did it in Aquashicola, and maybe they don’t do it like this today, but we pledged allegiance to the flag, and we said the Lord’s Prayer. So, we’re going to do that, if you would please stand,” Simcoe said to the crowd of alumni.

Following a moment of silence for those who were lost since the last meeting, Simcoe read a collection of letters from former students who couldn’t make it to the event.

Rory Koons, president of the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company, took the stand next, welcoming everyone to the fire hall and thanking them for their support before describing the history of the plaque, which features the names of the school directors, along with those responsible for its construction.

“A number of years ago, Gladys Ziegenfus and Alverta Costenbader retrieved this tablet from the Aquashicola School before it was torn down,” Koons said. “I don’t know how long ago they came to us and asked us to preserve it, but it was hung here in the hall for many years. When we remodeled, it just didn’t fit in, and we didn’t really have a place to hang it. In that interim, we properly preserved it. We thought it was only fitting and proper to turn it over to the historical society for perpetuity.”

John Aulenbach gladly accepted the piece of history on behalf of the Palmerton Historical Society, with Costenbader standing by his side.

“The historical society is always interested in receiving items to preserve for the Palmerton area. We really appreciate this contribution, and we will treasure it and put it in a place where it will be preserved in perpetuity. Thank you very much,” Aulenbach said.

Opened in 1926, the Aquashicola School served students attending grades one through 10 in the Lower Towamensing School District. The building was financed through bond sales in the amount of $30,000, with another $4,500 taken out from Citizens Bank and Trust in April of 1927 to pay for a school stage.

The school year lasted eight months for most grades, with students in seventh and eighth grade taking an additional month each year.

In November 1955, the school board appealed a decision from local voters to abandon the school. Once the Lower Towamensing School District dissolved, the Aquashicola School fell under the Palmerton School District until it closed permanently.

Costenbader and Ziegenfus started the reunion efforts in 1979, manning the operation for 13 celebrations until they passed the torch to Janet Hall, Mary Levandusky and Beverly Steigler.

Costenbader rounded out the speakers, offering her thanks and love for her fellow classmates, with the hopes that the reunions will keep the spirit of Aquashicola School alive, much like the plaque will keep its place in the area’s history.

“Gladys and I initiated this reunion, and we loved doing it. We did everything we could possibly do to keep it going, so I hope it will continue. Thank you so much. We appreciate the group that came out today,” Costenbader told the crowd.