Schools

Old Fashion Ice Cream Social at Saline's One-Room School House Sunday

There is no charge to attend Sunday's one-room school house event, which features old-fashion teaching demonstrations, a firefighters' bucket brigade, games and more.

From the moment one steps through the white board fence surrounding the Weber Blaess one-room school, you can enjoy homemade ice cream with a variety of toppings as ladies with white gloves and parasols leisurely stroll the grounds from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. 

Saline Firefighters will grill hot dogs will also be served. Musical entertainment and a sing-along will join the festivities as this fundraising event will be hosted by the Saline Area Schools Historic Preservation Foundation and also provides an opportunity for young and old to experience turn of the century life.

The fundraiser includes many events, activities and demonstrations. Classroom reenactments of a typical day in a one-room school will give insight into what the school day was like in the old rural school houses. One demonstration features a young maiden teacher using McGuffey Readers and slateboards to teach children.

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Children will be play the games that might have been enjoyed by children during 1900s recess. Games include hopscotch, graces, stilts and many more.

The Saline Area Fire Department will conduct a bucket brigade to demonstrate 1800s firefighting technique. Saline City Council members have challenged the Saline Area Schools Board of Education in a croquet tournament.

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Proceeds from this event will provide funds for continual maintenance needs at the site. The fence and outhouse require a new coat of paint while the west school wall needs to be resided. 

The Saline Area Schools Historic Preservation Foundation, founded in 2001, has a mission to support the history of Saline Schools with emphasis on the one-room school era. Over 1,100 students visit the school annually supporting the third and fourth grade social studies standards. During their day at the school, students experience a typical day of the 1870-1920’s in these schools by learning the lessons, eating the lunches and playing the games that rural children lived. This interactive museum is a highly effective learning tool for all level of students.

In May 2009, Weber-Blaess was awarded the National School Houses Registry and a marker making this designation is displayed on the grounds. The school is one of ten in the nation to receive this award.

The event was supported by Busch’s, Mickey’s, Manchester Bakery and local cake decorator, Mary Williams. Admission is free to the public. 


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