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Women in History: The Grim Sisters
History Spotlight
Two sisters who touched the lives of every Newtown child for several generations
by Doug Humes
Photos Courtesy of The Newtown Square Historical Society
Germany had its Brothers Grimm, and Newtown had the Sisters Grim: two local girls who went through the township school system of the early 20 th 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.
Born into an old Newtown family, Alice Grim (in 1888) and Mary Myrtle Grim (in 1896) attended the Chestnut Grove Seminary on School Lane.
Alice Grim (left) and Myrtle Grim (right), circa 1930
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.
Alice Grim and her first class (1907)
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.
Alice and Myrtle Grim, circa 1955
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 built a beautiful new school building, and installed a historical marker, to honor the memory and 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 website of the Newtown Square Historical Society:
www.HistoricNewtownSquare.org
