What happened at school…in 1895

Fred conducts class in his one-room 1895-era schoolhouse....

When Fred Yockers told me at Christmas that he had joined the Historical Museum Board, I thought about how lucky they are to have this incredibly talented & creative spirit around.

You better behave!

At that time he told me about his plan – to re-create the school experience from 1895 for kids, as a living lesson.

The energetic & resourceful former FHHS drama teacher set the stage – he used one of the cabins on the grounds as his classroom, and set it up with desks, inkwells, period work, and the lessons of the day.

Then he arranged for twelve students from Friday Harbor Elementary to walk over for a three hour lesson, which included each kid receiving the name of an actual child who lived on the island in ’95. Misbehave? You got the dunce cap. Writing? That’s what inkwells & ink pens are for. Speaking well & posture count as well…and each student got the chance to dress for the school day with period clothes.

The school posed for a photo after the end of the day, looking way more serious than they were acting just a few moments before (people were much more serious in their photos, back in 1895....)...click on the picture for a much larger view.

The parents who attended to help walk the kids over told me the program was awesome, and that they were pretty sure this was a lesson in history that would stick. Way to go, Fred & the Historical Museum!

There will be more programs through May for elementary students from the elementary schools on the island.

The kids dressed up like it was 1895, and got books & writing materials (including a pen & ink) for their lessons....

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