On Wednesday July 18, the Carlyle Rusty Relics Museum appeared just as a snapshot from the 1800's may have looked like, minus the new modern clothing that is.
The children were treated to an afternoon of going back to the future and playing school in the town's old one room schoolhouse.
Back in the 1800's and early 1900's the schoolhouses were chilly and damp and the only source of heat during the winter was the wood stove or fireplace placed in the corner. The hot summers were sweltering, and the luxury of air conditioning was not yet an option. The kids got to experience this first hand on Wednesday, as one of the hottest days of the summer thus far had them sweating in their cramped antique desks.
One thing that had the museum guests in shock was that children of all ages went to one school and a teacher could often be teaching as many as eight grades at once. Many of the kids were excited to play this role for the day but were not interested in implementing those ways of life into their modern school.
The children at the Rusty Relics Museum were given the chance to use easels and chalk to memorize a poem such as their grandparents and great-grandparents may have done, yet they could not seem to picture not having electronics to aid with the process. They were shown the ink and pens that were used in corner holes in their wooden desk.
The day continued with some games of old, beginning with the enjoyment of a good game of cats cradle, which they could not understand how that could remain entertaining for hours at a time, as many gave up after a few tries.
They later had outdoor games and snack time, and were all excited to meet the families that joined in on the activities this week.
Several weeks of the museum Wednesdays remain, and all children are invited to join in on the fun and games. There is something to enjoy for all the ages from toddlers to grade four, with parents even learning a thing or two.
