RURAL SCHOOLS OF BLENHEIM TOWNSHIP
Have you ever wanted to take a time machine back to your fifth grade classroom?
Maybe your grandpa's fifth grade classroom? Your great-great grandpa's? Well now you can! We're introducing our Drumbo and District time-machine, well exhibit, really. Pop on down to the museum to view it in person or keep on scrolling to see to see a sneak preview of it right now! |
SCHOOL TOOLS
InkwellsMost old school desks included an inkwell which had to be refilled by a student who was given the special name of ink monitor. It was a highly prized job back in the day and came with the responsibility of carrying round a bottle and filling up the inkwells each morning before the rest of the students arrived.
Pens with metal nibs became widely used in the mid 1800s when their design was perfected to ensure ease of use. This type of dip pen was used in schools until the 1950s, Fountain pens contained a reservoir which would hold the ink therefore the inkwells were no longer needed. Fountain pens were soon changed so that they accepted ink in cartridges making the fountain pen less messy to use. |
LunchboxBy the 1880s, children began fashioning their lunch boxes out of used tobacco, candy, or biscuit tins. All that was needed was a little work to affix handles.
Eventually, the companies saw the need and made the tins with handles already attached. In 1902, the very first lunch box designed specifically for kids was created. And in 1911, in what would later be considered a true stroke of genius, the American Thermos Bottle Company created the first worker’s lunch kit with thermos bottle—making a truly hot or cold beverage possible for the first time. In the 1950’s, companies began to place pictures of western cowboys and cartoon characters. The school lunchbox craze took off with collections now worth thousands of dollars. |
SlatesBy the nineteenth century, writing slates were used around the world in nearly every school and were a central part of the slate industry. At the dawn of the twentieth century, writing slates were the primary tool in the classroom for students. In the 1930s (or later) writing slates began to be replaced by more modern methods.
All students had their own slate and brought it with them daily back and forth to school. Students wrote on their slate by scratching it with a slate pencil. Eventually, these slate pencils were replaced with soft chalk which made the writing process easier. Students used their slate to practise math, writing and penmanship. Once work was completed and checked by the teacher, students used a cloth or sponge from home to clean their slate before being able to continue on with their work. |
Exercise ClubsThe British brought Indian Clubs from India where they were used primarily used as training tools by soldiers and police. In fact, British Marine Physical Instructors are still known as the Clubs. They were introduced in America in the 19th century, and were especially popular during the fitness movement of the Victorian Era. The clubs were widely used, from physical
education programs in American schools to military training. Club Swinging was twice contested as an Olympic event (in 1904 and 1932). It was a precursor to Rhythmic Gymnastics, using 3 lb clubs instead of ropes, ribbons and balls used in the modern Olympics. |
ORIGINAL BLENHEIM SCHOOLHOUSES
Have a peak at the original schools that dotted the Blenheim district.