In the 19th century Koprivshtitsa enjoyed an active cultural life. The second Bulgarian school was founded here in 1837. Nine years later in 1846, Nayden Gerov (born in Koprivshtitsa) founded the first school with classes in Bulgaria. In 1850 a school for girls was opened as well.
Donations to charities were a distinct trait of the local people. The influential men from Koprivshtitsa donated money, buildings and lands for supporting educational needs. In no other town in Bulgaria have the inhabitants been so generous with their money and efforts for education, culture and charity. In no other place were so many illustrious and enlightening teachers, poets, writers and politicians born.
The period between 1830 and 1876 was Koprivshtitsa’s golden age for both the economy and education.