Florence Eckhardt

Florence Eckhardt began her teaching career in Scranton, in a one room structure that housed six grades in 1912. The next year she joined the staff at the old Union Street Grade School to teach fourth grade. Throughout this time she also worked to earn her bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State Teachers College and master’s degree from Cornell. Miss Eckhardt moved into the Junior High school in 1925, where she taught mathematics. Miss Eckhardt helped in the planning and organization of the new Junior High school and became its principal in 1927. When the new Union Street Grade School opened in 1941, Miss Eckhardt was its principal. She filled that post successfully until Hamburg schools were centralized in 1951. She then became the district’s first Supervisor of Elementary Education. Florence retired in 1963 after 51 years of service. Card parties were held annually in honor of Miss Eckhardt to raise money for scholarships given to Hamburg Central High School Seniors to further their education. She was also an integral part of the community working for her church, Red Cross, Quota Club, Eastern Star, Ration Board, March of Dimes, and Historical Society.