The Forest of legends

Walnut Hill, Iowa, is a small town that is currently used as a museum, to replicate post-civil war towns in the prairie belt, such as places in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. Although some buildings are real, such as the Flynn Mansion and the nearby Flynn barn, which were real places, and were built by the Flynn’s, most are fake, and are used for representation purposes only.

If it was a real town, it would probably die out due to the railroad and technology advancing, and no need for blacksmiths. Although on their website, they explicitly said “The railroad will always be a few years away for Walnut Hill”.

So enjoy the next series from The Forest of Legends, and for fellow history buffs, here is your happy place.

The School

This school has 4 rows of desks, a map of Iowa (pictured) a chalkboard, a quill, a bell, pencils for the kids, a Teacher’s Desk, a main room, and a front room (supposably where the put their backpacks). It also has a path for the disabled (as seen pictured to the right). Its floorboards are made out of carved wood.

It is located in North-western Walnut Hill and is isolated from many buildings in the village. It is a one-room schoolhouse (two if you count the front room). It was used for grades 1-8, all packed in the one-room schoolhouse.

What they did during the day.

(If you don’t want to read all of this, go look at the image to the left)

Some important school lessons were still taught to them, such as arithmetic (which is the old way for saying math), geography, and reading. Some subjects that aren’t taught in schools now a-days include penmanship, and sometimes even spelling! We will be taking a deep dive into what they studied centuries ago, in a one room schoolhouse!

Penmanship: “You will need a slate, slate pencil, and rag eraser. Draw two lines across your slate. Practice your ovals, making sure they touch the top and bottom lines, like the example above” (note that the example above is only in the image). “Then write your name in your BEST Spenserian penmanship”.

Reading: “Choose to read aloud either “The Little Star” from McGuffey’s Second Eclectic Reader, page 15, or “Try, Try Again”” from McGuffey’s Fourth Eclectic Reader, pages 28-29. Use Your best articulation, making the ending consonants clear. Be sure you stand to recite.”

Geography: “On the map of the United States, locate Iowa. Name the capitol of Iowa, and the two big rivers on each side of Iowa. Can you find at least one of the ten territories? Check your answers below.” (I do not have answers for you yet)

Spelling: “Choose two words from the list below which you cannot spell. Write them ten times each on your slate. Now spell them from memory to the grown-up you are with.” (Or someone you know)

Arithmetic: “Choose two word problems. Solve them using the slate pencil and rag eraser. Check your work with the answers at the bottom of the page.”

1. “My father has 26 Jersey cows and 14 Holstein cows. How many cows has he in all?”
2. “Farmer Kenyon is selling 100 chickens. All he can get for them is $.15 per chicken. How much money will he be paid for his chickens?”
3. “At the Drug Store father will be picking up 1 gallon kerosene oil-$.30, fly paper-$.10, matches-$.10, envelopes-$.15, and cough tonic-$1. How much is his bill?”
4. “Mother is going to make a new dress for your sister. The material costs $.50 per yard, and the buttons $.05 each. She will need 5 yard of material and 10 buttons. How much will the dress cost in all?”
5. A house broom costs $.25 and a cake tester costs $.02. How much more does the house broom cost?

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