History of the Hilburn Schools

The first school in Rockland County was built in 1694 in Tappan. In the early 1800’s the Village of Sloatsburg had a one room school house.

The first school in Hillburn was started in 1873 on a plot of ground donated by J.B. Suffern. A one room building, it was used for day school, Sunday school, and church services. The day school was under the direction of George Suffern, and District #3.

On March 27, 1880, by order of William Van Wagoner, School Commissioner, the Woodburn School was established, and a separate district, was formed. District #15 consisted of the Hillburn Main School and Brook School. Grades 1st through 8th would attend. In 1910 Kindergarten was started. Additions, alterations and improvements were done over the years to the main school build­ing. In 1912 a new building was erected, a tile & stucco structure containing six classrooms, an assembly hail, two playmoms, and built in showers for the students. Grades Kindergar­ten through 8th would attend this school.

On August 3, 1880 the first meeting of voters was held to elect temporary officers, with the following results:
Chairman:  James Suffern
Trustee:    William W. Snow
Collector:   W.W. Hollisten
Temporary Clerk: James B. Suffern
Clerk:  James B. Suffern
Librarian:  Charles DuVall

On October 12, 1880, an annual meeting for the election of officers was held, with the follow­ing results:
Trustee:  William W. Snow
Collector: William Hollister
Clerk:      J.B. Suffern
Librarian: Charles Duvall

A budget of $450.00 for the 1880-1881 school year was approved and taxes were levied accordingly. The amount of $451.81, was collected from 16 assessed home owners, the estate of M. Maitbie, Ramapo Wheel and Foundry Co., and the New York Lake Erie and Western Railway.

During much of the period after 1889, the statutes specifically authorized and maintained separate schools for Negroes and whites (Education Law, Section 921), but, in 1938 the New York State Legislature repealed this section. Nevertheless, the School Board of Hillburn chose to maintain the two schools.

The Brook School, the “colored” school was organized and maintained by private sub­scription until 1888 when it became part of the school district. Originally, classes were held in a log chapel. In 1889 approval was given to build a new “colored school”. A two room building was erected on a piece of property belonging to William De Freese. An appro­priation of $740.00 was made for the purchase of desks, seats, and blackboards. Grades K-6 were taught in the Brook School. In 1913 two additional rooms were added. There was no library, no gymnasium, no playground, and no indoor bathroom facilities for the children. However, there were dedicated teachers; Hulda S. De Freese, Mrs. Cecily Gunner, Mildred M. Van Dunk, Kate L. Savery and Ethel C. Roseboro. Mildred M. Van Dunk and Hulda S. De Freese were both former Brook School students who after continuing their education, and receiving their teaching certificates, returned to the community to teach.