Eight years ago, I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Eight Square Schoolhouse in my 4th grade class. The field trip began before we left the school-- our teacher asked us to dress the part of a colonial era student. (Ironically, the Eight Square Schoolhouse was built in 1827, two hundred years after the historical period we were studying at the time.) The night before the field trip, my mother and I spent an hour picking my most vintage dress and my dressiest shoes. When I came to school, I realized my friends had committed to the theme even more than I had. In our floor-length dresses, white aprons, and linen bonnets, we walked to the bus carrying old-fashioned bag lunches.

The schoolma'm greeted us when we left our bus and entered the schoolhouse. After all of us settled in, she began by giving us historical names to use throughout the day. She handed me a name tag reading my new name. She repeated this process for the twenty other kids in my class and then began the lessons. We practiced arithmetic on our slate and chalk, taking questions from a textbook older than anything my parents studied from.

After math, we took a lunch and recess break. The schoolma'm showed us a working water pump, teaching us how to run the water and wash our hands before we ate. She brought century-appropriate games for us to play outside, such as skipping rope or four square. Her dedication to her character was contagious. Soon, my friends and I were devoted to our alter egos. We giggled at passing cars and planes on our picnic blankets as if we had never seen them before in our lives.

We headed back inside for English lessons. The lesson began with the schoolma'am explaining the new fountain pens that replaced the old quills, praising how they were sharper and more durable. We practiced calligraphy and reading with our new tools, as the schoolma'm read us more from the textbook.

Looking back, this field trip was one-of-a-kind for many reasons. First of all, it gave me an authentic look into a school day in 1892. The experience lived up to its name of “Living History.” By giving students a chance to experience history firsthand, kids like me were able to engage in learning through a mix of history and roleplay.

Interaction is key in learning, and this program centers itself on it. The Eight Square Schoolhouse program immerses its participants in the rich history of period education by having students do various activities before, during, and after the trip. The History Center additionally provides teachers with pre-trip materials to help students contextualize their experiences, video introductions, and post-trip reflection activities.

The Eight Square Schoolhouse is a must-attend field trip experience open to any fourth grade classes. Open in the fall and spring to homeschoolers, large groups, or classroom visits; the program has attracted over 600 students every year to experience a day at the schoolhouse. You can learn more at our upcoming open houses.

The Eight Square Schoolhouse will be open for visitors on October 6, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., and October 12, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. REGISTER HERE

Written by Claire Kwak, Volunteer Docent