Letter to the Editor, Posted: 1/12/05
To the editor:
The recognition dinner and meeting of the Taylors Falls Historical Society on Friday evening, Oct. 22, brought back strong memories of Pioneer School held last July.
Our theme for the school last year was ìplant life here in the 1840s and 1950s.î
That theme brought two men to the school, Tom and Jerry. They gave us a lesson on what was growing here during these years.
They told us about the corn and the Virginia creeper, along with many other varieties of plants. The children got packets of original prairie grass to take home and plant, and also some fresh raspberries.
Anther day, a local woodcarver, Joe Mattson, gave the children a carving lesson with ivory soap and plastic knives. Ben and David Appleby brought an antique corn sheller over and the children got to grind some corn.
A special surprise was a lady by the name of Mrs. S, a traveling music teacher. She came in 18th-century dress and taught some of the songs sung back in that century, such as ìRow, Row, Row Your Boat,î and ìSchool Days.î
A favorite time each day was game time when old games were played. We toured the Folsom House where Mary and Alan Christopherson were host in the 1800s home setting, and took a trip to the Moberg Farm where Mr. and Mrs. Lyttle showed many items of long ago times.
With Mr. Bill Scott in his multiple roles as superintendent, principal, historian, custodian and anything else needed, and Katie Johnson as official aid for all three sessions, along with many other volunteers, the children experienced 1800 life in a most unusual way. It was a delightful ìfull of surprisesî Pioneer School!
Dorothy Berntson and
Donna Keacher, co-teachers
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