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In the fall of 1880, Elias Allen, a man of color, petitioned for a court order compelling the Meadville school controllers to admit his children to Huidekoper Grammar School, the all white school only a quarter of a mile from his home. Challenging Pennsylvania state law, President Judge Pearson Church granted the petition ruling that racially segregated schools were fundamentally unconstitutional. This ruling set the stage for the 1881 state legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in public school admissions, seventy-five years before the famous Brown vs. Board of Education ruling.

Inspired by the 70th anniversary of the Brown vs Board of Education ruling and the historical marker in front of Second District School, Rev.Sarah Roncolato set out to find out more about Mr. Elias Allen, Judge Church and the local case that changed the face of public education in Pennsylvania. Join Sarah on February 1st at the Crawford County Historical Society to hear what she's learned and the ways we can reclaim the legacy of these two men and their courage to do what is right. This program is free and open to the public. Parking on Diamond Park and Walnut Street. Light refreshments will be served.

About Sarah Roncolato: A Meadville resident since graduating from Allegheny in 1980, Sarah served for almost thirty years as a United Methodist pastor, the last twelve years of her ministry as pastor of Stone United Methodist Church. Having raised their family here and now both retired, Sarah and her husband, Dave, remain committed to the community they call home.

About the Crawford County Historical Society: Founded in 1880, the Crawford County Historical Society is the official repository for the history of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. The Society owns and operates one of the most extensive historical research archives in northwest Pennsylvania (located at the James and Elizabeth Tarr Mansion), as well as Mount Hope: The Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum, The Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic Museum, the Jacob Russell Mosier Medical History Museum, Holland Hall, Shryock Park, and the French Creek Feeder Canal Educational Kiosk. For more information about the Society, its programs, and holdings, visit their website at crawfordhistorical.org or call 814-724-6080