The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

emm El KgR&f.Ts? •tJ'tT-V mmftt ■ 7 7 ; '■ " ■ ■ 77; v ; "ijsj ,-s •ir/i-; >m vSt'1'U»»îSiït'*(/*'» -vi•7 , ~./v> /</-n 'i'i'i'i-uM'vriVrYV E § EH IS^*. i., ■ . piwiSi ! *|e «W|»; ISsM THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ SEPTEMBER 14,2005 ♦ PAGE?, durhamrcgion.com A CLARINGTON COMMUNITY A weekly in-depth look at the communities that shape Clarington 3R0N0 Merle Robillard/The Canadian Statesman 7 - ' ■ !TU The museum was originally a one-room school house when it opened in 1878. .,it -, .i.i iPi, i, . ( ..,| (! !.. i 'h ; i-1 i .fl-)!? I)' ' t'l • Clarke Museum has lessons to share By JULIE CASHIN-OSTEB Special to The Statesman l [ v. : ç *; • ■7 CÇ -v A; 7 ■ -, 7 : . • ■; iKIRBY - School life was very different different in the late 19th century in Clarke Tpwnship. [SS (School Section) No. 14 was the name given to the Kirby School in 1878. The one-room schoolhouse - now known as the Clarke Museum - was once filled with rows of iron and wood two-seater desks. The children wrote on small slates using a slate pencil, while the teacher used the blackboards that often lined the , front and side walls. ■The teacher's rolled-top desk dominated dominated the room- by being front-row-centre. Above it hung the greatly feared strap. At the rear of the building stood a large cast-iron stove, which served as the only source of heat for drying coats and chil dren in the winter. "Older kids - or the teacher, would come early to light the stove. It was popular popular for kids to put frozen ink wells on the stove -- they would then blow up and hit the ceiling," said Charles Taws, curator, curator, Clarington Museums and Archives. The subjects included such things as spelling, reading, arithmetic, geography and grammar. In the 1800s children learned by writing lessons over and over. Slates were used by all children however, paper being dear it was left for the older children. In the early years they would use goose feathers feathers dipped in ink - then later pens dipped in ink. "The Christmas concert was the big event of the year. Everything would be decorated and everyone would participate participate - families and the community," said Mr. Taws. • If you haven't paid a visit to Clarke Museum in a while -- a lot of wonderful changes have been happening. "Since the amalgamation of the Clarke 'They experience what school was like in 1878 -- try their hand at writing on slates, learn how to play traditional school yard games, how to churn butter, make hand-dipped candles and metal lanterns.' -- Mariglia Bosgraff Museum and Archives and the Bow- manville Museum (Clarington Museums and Archives) all the archives have been - moved from Clarke to the new site, the Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre in Bowmanville -- making- more room in the schoolhouse to function as an actual schoolhouse," said Susan Mariglia Bosgraff, Bosgraff, program co-ordinator, Clarington Museums. "Our most popular program is the Pioneer Pioneer Program. Activities in the one-room , schoolhouse teach children the past," said Ms. Mariglia Bosgraff. "They experience what school was like in 1878 -- try their hand at writing on slates, learn how to play traditional school yard games, how to churn butter, make hand-dipped candles and metal lanterns." Classes are divided into small groups and rotate through the different activities activities giving every child the opportunity to explore and learn about the community's heritage. ' Part of the schoolhouse component is examining artifacts from the time period. A tour of an early 20th century blacksmith blacksmith shop is also included in the visit. The Pioneer Program is available in a - full day or half day format. On exhibit until December at the Clarke Museum is "Indigenous Natives of Clarington," Clarington," exploring the native influence on Clarington. Native artifacts found in 1 Clarington showcased are an axe bladé) flint arrowhead, knife, broken flint spear head and broken clay pieces. "An amaz- ij ing piece being displayed -- found in) Clarington - is an Iroquois lacrosse ball, j Perfectly round carved from stone. (In its* original state) it would have covered in* leather," said Ms. Bosgraff. • / Ï* Schools can participate in a native-, program which includes a tour of the 1 exhibit', a native craft and games. The " Pioneer Program is available in a variety^ of formats to accommodate different tour* lengths. v" Contact'the Clarington Museum and- Archives at 905-623-2734 for additional information on educational programs* and scheduling. ' £ t The museum is open to the public from ) Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4j p.m. ' 7 7777-" . ' -7 - Also displayed at the museum are agri- - cultural implements, textiles, Tine art. ^ archaeological material, toys, funeraj* objects, communication equipment, fur-; ' niture, and architectural materials. Serving Durham For Over 25 Years Visit Our Showroom! ".Not Just A Trophy Store" AWARDS AND GIFT SALES LTD Owned and Operated by the Harrison Family. Engraving, Glass Etching ♦Plaques, Trophies ♦ Gifts, Medallions, Pins ♦Team/Sportswear 424 Simcoe St. S M Oshawa (north of 401) Tel: 905-579-6621 Fax:905-579-1986 Motel 6 /team holeh l )l I i l 1 i / )l I 165 Consumers Dr., Whitby Phone: 905-665-8883 Fax: 905-665-8373 www.motel6.com Book Your Reservation Today! m m Deliveti dm OshaW VViCllVS To Newtonville MLl' , „ ; 7ÏH Teleflora^y ' A-fkV f XisAXfroV/.'X MtCi.V'o 905 987-9844 j Reaching Your Goals Freedom 55 Takes Careful Planning Financial That's Why We'reHere to Help. •GICs & mutual funds •Group insurance •Group retirement plans •Mortgages •RRSPs& RESPs •Individual life insurance • Disability Insurance •Business insurance •Travel insurance •RRIFs, LIFs & Annuities . Dwight and Deria Hickson _ Financial Security and Investment Representatives Ou'riru^tfiwe.jmyntSyvlcosUd. 5 King Ave., Newcastle (905) 987-5372 lUADRUS.