The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Students experiencing history up close
Elyria students are getting an interactive experience in learning about local history.
In a presentation to the Elyria City Schools Board of Education on Oct. 3 at Crestwood Elementary School, the Lorain County Historical Society talked about suitcase museums, a program bringing history directly to the classroom.
Janet Bird, an education coordinator with the county Historical Society, said the program focuses on history through artifacts with a wide range of presentations available to local groups.
“We literally pack things in suitcases and take them into schools, to civic groups, social groups, assisted living groups and so on. Our programs range from Native American living to Rosie the Riveter,” Bird said.
The county Historical Society is working with firstand third-graders in the district in two different presentations.
First-graders are learning about frontier living and the experience of Elyria’s first pioneers who came to the area more than 200 years ago. That is illustrated with a variety of artifacts, including a 175-yearold tin horn used for signaling, a betty lamp which utilized a rag soaked in animal fat to create a slowburning candle.
“As we tell the first-graders, the pioneers never threw anything away. They didn’t have stores to run to and anything they could make and use of on their own they did. So the lamp was free lighting,” Bird added.
At the third-grade level students are looking at the progression of Elyria over time.
“With the third-graders we focus on Elyria history then and now and show the progress of Elyria’s history over time. We talk about the founding of Heman Ely 201 years ago. Where they live, where the town started, how that street looks different today,” Bird said.
Additionally, the thirdgraders learn a lot about immigration and the stories of the people who brought their own history and unique cultures to Elyria, making their mark with local churches and businesses in the area.
Bird spoke of the Elyria Polish Club past tradition of organizing hockey clubs on the frozen Black River in the winter, represented by a homemade pair of ice skates.
“One of our favorite items to show is this homemade pair of ice skates. And I tell them, if you didn’t have skates you could make your own,” Bird said.
“Take a block of wood, carve it into that shape to fit the size of your foot, get your blacksmith to make you that nice plate underneath, drill a couple of holes, run some laces through and you’re good to go.”