TYNGSBOROUGH DUNSTABLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ~ Schoolhouse Days, May 11th ~ Rain Date May 18th.
Please make note the correct date for this is Saturday, May 11th with a rain date of May 18th.
The Tyngsborough-Dunstable Historical Society is pleased to sponsor a program specifically designed for children (or grandchildren) in grades 3 and up to experience a school day in the life of a child in 1798. The event will take place on Saturday, May 11th from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Route 113 in Dunstable. The day will start at 11:00 sharp and it is strongly recommended you NOT be late for school!
You should plan to arrive at the field by 10:30 where the children will register and then either go directly into the Sarah Tyng Winslow Schoolhouse or stay outside to participate in a variety of learning stations in round robin fashion. Here they will learn and practice their penmanship on slates so that they can write their name in a “fair hand” in cursive. They may make butter, lemonade, pomander balls, or sachet bags of fragrant herbs or learn why the original settlers made such a long and dangerous trip to come, of all places, here! After lunch, we will switch places and the “outside children” will have their turn to meet the greatly “respected/feared” Schoolmaster.
Recess/lunch will include playing a variety of games of the period, pumping water from a very deep well, and making lemonade. Each student will bring his or her own picnic lunch, preferably containing only those foods that would have been available in 1798 and that could be grown in our community. That eliminates oranges, fluffernutter sandwiches, Oreos and, as you will discover, a lot more! We will have water and lemonade available and a wonderful four-acre field in which to run, catch grasshoppers, and look for wildflowers.
The presenters will be in period costumes and students are encouraged to see what they might have in their homes that would be appropriate to join in the spirit of the day. You can gather ideas via the internet.
Parents are welcome to attend with their children, but this is perhaps not the right event for children who have not yet been in the 3rd grade. If you would like to join the Historical Society and/or contribute to help defray the expenses, you can do so at the event.
Schedule for the Day
- Morning opening ceremony at 10:45 with school/round robin starting at 11:00
- Lunch and games from 12:00 to 1:00
- Afternoon school/round robin will start at 1:00 with a closing ceremony at 2:00
- We hope you will seriously consider this unique event as a part of your child’s education, none of which will show up on MCAS tests, but will become a fond childhood memory for years to come.
- For more information or answers to burning questions, please e-mail kimpton576@gmail.co
- Or go https://forms.gle/vVfPwntxQfv2sXuL8