History in a Trunk
Turn on your imagination as we travel back to 1865. What is that sound? A rooster crowing, “cock-a-doodle-do.” Time to get dressed for school. On Friday, February 10, a special presenter from History in a Trunk visited third graders and played the role of the teacher in a one-room school. Student volunteers were given old-fashioned names and dressed in knickers, bloomers, aprons and bonnets. Quill pens, slates and dunce hat props were used as the presenter shared examples of a typical school day. Students participated in the live simulation and were flabbergasted by the rules and punishments of the first one-room school in San Diego. They learned school was quite different than it is today.
As the simulation continued, more volunteers dressed in clothes worn for after-school chores. An old-fashioned washboard and soap made from animal fat were among some of the props the kids used to complete chores. Once the day’s chores were completed, it was time to dress up for an evening party.
Students wore fancy clothes complete with a parasol and fans. How did boys and girls interact at parties? Children were shown how fans were used to send secret signals of interest in one another. A young man may court a young lady with permission from her father. A special candle was used to determine how long a boy could visit a young lady in the parlor. If a father approved of the lucky fella, the candle was adjusted to burn longer. But beware, if the father did not favor the young lad, the burn time would be cut short, and he must leave when the flame is extinguished.
La Jolla Country Day School
9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440
© 2024 La Jolla Country Day School
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La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440
© 2024 La Jolla Country Day School
Privacy Policy
COVID-19 Prevention Plan
