We are coming up on the 100th anniversaries for two of our local schools next year – Toll Gate Grammar School and Hopewell Elementary School. Groups at both schools are making plans, so if you have ideas and historic materials to share, please do get in touch.
As a start towards celebrating the centennial of Hopewell Elementary, here are the rather colorful covers of 27 yearbooks from 1997 to 2025.
- Please contact us if you have have information, photos, or materials related to the history of these schools.
- In particular, do you have Hopewell Elementary yearbooks from 1996 and earlier? Do you have the 2021 or 2024 yearbooks?
Toll Gate Grammar School
Toll Gate Grammar School (formerly Pennington Grammar School) on South Main Street in Pennington was built in 1925. The eight-room rear wing was added in 1953.
Pennington Profile reports that in 1926 the “Grammar School on South Main Street” was ready for occupancy, and that Charles N. Hartman was the first principal of the Grammar School.
There is a Toll Gate Grammar School Alumni group on Facebook that you can join and share your memories, and help out with planning a celebration of this anniversary.
Hopewell Elementary School
Hopewell Elementary School, originally called the Hopewell Grammar School, opened in 1926 on Princeton Avenue in Hopewell Borough. It replaced the previous Grammar School on Model Avenue.
The original building is the section that fronts on Princeton Avenue. The school was later expanded with a 1968 classroom addition along Prospect Street, and a larger 1997 addition along the south side that included a cafeteria and gymnasium.
The first eighth grade class graduated from the school in 1926, as shown by the class plaques hanging along the front corridor at the school.
Bertha I. Scott was the first principal, originally starting as principal of the earlier Hopewell Grammar School on Model Avenue in 1916, and then continuing after the move to the new building at Princeton Avenue until retiring in 1942.
- See the June 1926 Hopewell Grammar School Dedication (PDF) for a historical summary and photographs of the Hopewell Borough public schools.
- See earlier post for more on Hopewell Valley schools, including the selection of the Frog mascot for Hopewell Elementary.
Please contact us if you have additional information or materials related to the Hopewell Valley schools.
More on Hopewell Valley Schools
Posts on school materials, including yearbooks, graduation programs, and plays.
- See also post on St. Michael’s Orphanage and School
Browse all School materials in the Image Album and Pamphlet Collection:
- Hopewell Schools History Posters – Hopewell Elementary School at the Harvest Fair
- Images – Hopewell Valley Schools Album – Class photos, classrooms, etc. (search by name, etc.)
- Pamphlets – Hopewell Valley Schools – Yearbooks, commencements, etc. (select by town, name, etc.)
Hopewell Valley Schools – History
- Post on Hopewell School Mascots – and the Frog – School names, mascots and logos
- Post on The Timberlane School Name – The Timberlane Drive development
- Post on Learning Your Letters – School Signs – Princeton High School (1919 / 1920)
- Post on Toll Gate and Hopewell Elementary School Centennials (2026)
Hopewell Borough Schools History – Grammar & High Schools
- Post on Hopewell Elementary School History – Hopewell Schools History posters
- Documents on Hopewell Borough Schools – Briefs and Posters
Hopewell Grammar School (Model Ave.) – 1888 – Posts & Materials
- Post on Model Ave. Grammar School Annex – Jewelry, invention, guitars, metalwork
- Post on c1912 Hopewell Grammar School Kids – Photos on Model Ave.
- Post on 1920s Hopewell Teachers – Scott & Scharring-Hausen
- Brief – Hopewell Grammar School Summary Brief (PDF)
- Brief – Hopewell Grammar School Annex Summary Brief (PDF)
Hopewell Elementary School (Princeton Ave.) – 1926 – Posts & Materials
- Post on the Hopewell Elementary School Centennial – history and additions
- Post on Hopewell Elementary School Class Plaques – 1926-1966 – Photos and names
- Post on 1941 Hopewell Elementary School Newspaper
- Post on 1952 Hopewell Elementary School – Graduation program and yearbook
- Pamphlets – 1956 Hopewell Elementary School “Hi-Lights” Newsletters
- Pamphlets – All Hopewell Elementary School Pamphlets – with yearbooks, graduation programs, newsletters
- Brief – Hopewell Elementary School Summary Brief (PDF)
Pennington Grammar School – Posts & Materials
- Post on 1950s Memories of Pennington – Mike Thomsen – Building evolution
Hopewell High School (Columbia Ave.) – 1910 – Posts & Materials
- Post on The Confusing Hopewell Firehouse – and Boro Hall and High School (1910)
- Post on 1917 Hopewell High School Yearbook – “Blue and Gold”
- Post on 1920s Hopewell High School – Commencement / Class Day books
- Post on 1924 Hopewell High School Program and Ads – Senior class play
- Post on 1927 Hopewell High School Diploma & Autograph Book
- Pamphlets – All Hopewell High School Pamphlets – with yearbooks, graduation programs, diploma
Hopewell Valley Central High School(s) (Pennington) – 1929 / 1958 – Posts & Materials
- Post on 1950s Memories of Pennington – Mike Thomsen – Buildings, school days
- Post on Central High School 1962 Practicum Report – School operations
- Post on Central High School 1961 Student Handbook – Rules & Clubs
- Post on Business Classes at Central High School, c. 1966 – Typing & bookkeeping
- Post on Central High School Class of 1966 – 2016 Reunion Scrapbook – Valley Images
- Post on Central High School Curriculum: 1962 & 1976 – Booklets
- Pamphlets – All Central High School Pamphlets – Yearbooks, graduation programs, curriculum
See also the Document Archive for additional historical school materials.
