New schoolhouse tours give students glimpse of learning in early 1900s

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Some local students and community members are taking the opportunity to leave their air-conditioned classrooms and homes to experience what learning was like in 1901.

Located on the corner of Preston Street and West Campus Drive, the Gerald L. Poor one-room schoolhouse will open its doors to the public every second Saturday of the month. It now also offers public tours, which started in May.

“We do a lot of tours with elementary schools,” said Kellie DeSchutter, Troy senior and tour guide. “Kids love experiencing a day in the life of students decades ago.”

The schoolhouse is authentic to the time period, featuring rules displayed for students that include “four lashes for boys and girls playing together” and replicas of original desks and textbooks.

“It was like stepping back in time when I walked in,” said South Lyon sophomore Catherine Kelley. “It’s awesome that we have this available to us right on our own campus.”

DeSchutter gives tours regularly, with the largest annually in the summer.

“I love dressing up in clothes from the 1900s and putting on a show for everyone that comes to the tours,” DeSchutter said. “It’s a lot of fun and the kids always get a kick out of it.”

A typical tour features a day in the life of a student beginning as the school bell rings and the students file in on opposite sides of the room. Then, visitors say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing a song.

DeSchutter then discusses discipline policies and gives a short lesson in reading, writing and arithmetic. Finally, students have the opportunity to make butter the old-fashioned way and play recess games authentic to the time period, like jacks and baseball.

There are also other activities that can be added to tours such as pottery and puppet shows.

“I always talk about pranks the kids used to play, too,” DeSchutter said. “For example, boys used to take the ink wells and dip the ends of girls’ pony tails in them.”

Although elementary schools schedule visits, many Central Michigan University students enjoy attending as well..

“Coming here reminded me of field trips I used to take in elementary school,” said Kimball sophomore Travis McBride. “I remember being in awe of the differences between schooling then and now, and it’s still so interesting to me.”

All schoolhouse activities are run by students in the museum studies or associated programs. New activities are added several times a year to keep new visitors coming.

“The schoolhouse is here to educate people on the history of schooling in America,” DeSchutter said. “We’re really fortunate to have this on our campus.”