The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Third-graders take a ride through history
Heritage Avon Lake wrapped up its fall 2017 history field trips in October, with six third-grade classes participating this year.
The program began at the Folger summer home, where students learned a bit about the family who had built the home in 1902 and had spent their summers there.
A display of period clothing was then shared by Sherry Spenzer, who explained what people wore to Avon Lake’s Beach Park at the turn of the century, and how they cared for their garments.
Carol Meiners led students through an activity that involved Avon Lake maps and Lake Shore Electric Railway stops. Students had to “plan their routes” from home to school, library, and various parks using LSER stops. A “then and now” slide show with Avon Lake locations was presented, with the class being challenged to try and identify the various sites. Spenzer then led students on a tour of Avon Lake’s historic cemetery, where they learned that many of their city’s streets were named for early city settlers.
In the second part of the field trip, students traveled west along Lake Road to see the beautifully restored Lake Shore Electric Railway car at Artstown.
Tom and Tomie Patton then explained the trolley system with a LSER “show and tell”. The Pattons taught the children about trolley cars as an early mode of transportation, and showed them a visible fare box which was designed especially for the trolley. The big surprise was the whistle blast from a working LSER train whistle.
Students were kept active and moving during the trip, and appeared to enjoy themselves. Perhaps the best lesson was that learning history can be fun! Heritage Avon Lake looks forward to offering more field trips in the future.
A “then and now” slide show with Avon Lake locations was presented, with the class being challenged to try and identify the various sites. Spenzer then led students on a tour of Avon Lake’s historic cemetery, where they learned that many of their city’s streets were named for early city settlers.