Our school is named after Mr. Fred S. Eshleman who served on the School Board for 37 years. Mr. Eshleman was born on May 15, 1889 and lived to age 78. He served in World War I. Since his family lived on a farm, he liked homegrown foods. He also enjoyed visiting the local ice cream parlor every Sunday with his family. He always tried to do his best, and his pet peeve was people making careless mistakes. He valued his family and church community.

(partial text from an interview by student Luke Dunn, Grade 4, 1996)

Excerpt from the original 1959 Eshleman Building Dedication Program

This new elementary school is located on a 12-acre plot on Leaman Avenue, Millersville. The first unit of this building contains six regular classrooms; a kindergarten room; an all-purpose room, which includes a cafeteria; a kitchen and a stage; a health room; a principal’s office; a faculty room; and a covered out-door play-area. The building is so designed that additional six classroom units may be attached in the future.
Fred S. Eshleman, after serving on the School Board for 36 years, is being honored by having this new school dedicated in his name.
Preparation of preliminary plans and specifications was begun on March 10, 1958 and contracts were awarded on August 1, 1958. Construction was begun on August 15, 1958 and the building was completed on September 4, 1959.
This is the first school building the Millersville Borough School District has been required to provide, since until September 1959, all of the elementary school pupils were educated in the Laboratory School of the State Teachers College. Because the enrollments increased considerably and because the Teachers College changed its policy concerning the operation of the Laboratory School, only half the elementary school pupils could be accommodated in the Laboratory School. It was therefore necessary for the Millersville Borough School District to build its own elementary school. Millersville Borough School District also owns its proportionate share of the Penn Manor Joint High School.
On November 14, 1959, therefore, the Millersville Borough School District is able to present this beautiful new Fred S. Eshleman School.

Excerpt from the 2003 Rededication and Open House Program

The newly renovated elementary school is located on a 12-acre plot. This facility contains 15 classrooms.
The former cafeteria now houses the library, which contains computer stations, ample space for research and a separate area for library instruction. The quiet, comfortable atmosphere encourages the love of reading. The old library has been completely renovated to provide four small group instruction rooms and a classroom.
There were two new classrooms added to the north wing of the building. On the south end a large addition was built which includes an all-purpose room, a state-of-the-art kitchen and loading dock. The front entrance was designed to provide security for the staff and Eshleman’s 333 students.
On September 28, 2003, therefore, the Penn Manor School District is able to rededicate this beautiful renovated Fred S. Eshleman School.

For details of the construction project click here.

The Eshleman School Song
(sung to the tune of "You're a Grand Old Flag")

You're a Penn Manor School, You're an outstanding school.

And forever the eagle will fly, You're the emblem of the school we love

And forever you'll stay in our hearts.

All the teachers are cool at the Eshleman School, And they help us to learn ev'ry day,

The colors we hold are blue and gold, And we like coming here each day.