History Spotlight
Women in History: The Grim Sisters
Alice and Myrtle Grim, circa 1955
by Doug Humes Germany had its Brothers Grimm, and Newtown had the Sisters Grim: two local girls who went through the township school system of the early 20th century, went off to college, and then returned to teach in the Newtown schools for a combined 79 years. In doing so they touched the lives of every child who grew up in Newtown for several generations.
Alice (left) and Myrtle (right) circa 1930
Born into an old Newtown family, Alice in 1888 and Mary Myrtle in 1896, they attended the Chestnut Grove Seminary on School Lane. Alice recalled: “Our farm was two miles from the school and I walked to and from the school every day.” Alice went off to West Chester Normal School, and then returned to Newtown in 1907 to teach in the Red Brick School on the Media road. Sister Myrtle, one of nine graduates of the Newtown class of 1912, went to the Normal School, and then was hired to teach at the Red Brick School. In 1925, Newtown dedicated its new public school on Bishop Hollow Road, and a new principal was named: Alice Grim. The sisters taught there for years, Myrtle until 1950 and Alice until 1951. At Alice’s retirement, the community gave her a nice present by naming the school after her. The sisters lived together in a house on West Chester Pike. Myrtle died in 1973, at age 77. Alice died in 1985, at age 97. Their home was demolished several years ago. In its place, the Goddard School has built a beautiful new school building, and has installed a historical marker honoring the memory and the contributions to the community made by Alice and Myrtle Grim, a fitting tribute to the Sisters Grim. For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit the web site of the Newtown Square Historical Society at www.HistoricNewtownSquare.org. NS
Alice Grim and her first class (1907) Photos Courtesy of The Newtown Square Historical Society
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