A Minister Opened A School

Did you know? The Rev. J. Y. McGinnes, the Presbyterian minister at Shade Gap, founded Milnwood Academy there in 1849.

Lytle's 1876 county history says the school sprang at once into popularity and success under his management, but that McGinnes did not long survive to continue the work. Among his successors was his nephew, Wilson McGinnes. In its early days, Lytle wrote, it was a flourishing school, and it sent out many who became distinguished in various walks of life and were scattered far and wide over the United States.

Lytle also tied the academy to the growth of the village. Its prosperity added to the prosperity of Shade Gap, and the village grew until the court made it a borough at the April Sessions of 1871.

Jordan's 1913 history says the academy enjoyed a prosperous career for about a quarter of a century and was abandoned about 1871. Writing in 1876, Lytle said it had not been in operation for four or five years, though its buildings were still in good condition.

Checked 2026-10-30 · County histories and primary sources, read in full

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