Then and Now Historical Walk

Getting Ready
Students meet at the lodge before they leave on the the "Then and Now" historical walk. They are reminded to have water bottles, daypacks, a pencil, notebook and a camera, if they want to take pictures. While the students are listening, group leaders and classroom teachers are taking attendance. Some of the people they may see on the walk are going to be actors, playing the role of someone from the past. Also, a little background is given about what the students are about to see.

Liar's Club The students are shown authentic objects from the Then. They are to listen to the description and explanations given from the leaders and decide which is telling the truth. Some of the 'non-truths' were very creative, but the students were excellent listeners and solved the mysteries correctly.


Woodworking Tools Then - Men and boys worked with tools. Now - girls are allowed to participate. One of the tools was a draw knife, which was used to remove bark and shape the wood . Drilling holes was not always as easy as it seemed. Students had the opportunity to experience this first hand, as well as using a cross-cut saw. They quickly discovered that the two-person saw required a lot of strength, stamina, team work, and it also helped to keep the saw sharp. Now - Woodworking includes the use of power and battery operated tools. Most woodworkers buy their lumber from a company or individual where the bark has already been removed and the wood cut and planed into the right thickness and length.



Resources Then - knowing about the relationships of the earth's resources often meant the difference between eating well or going hungry, staying warm or freezing, living or dying mainly because people needed to depend on themselves as the primary source of information. The characters helped the students learn how to discover secrets of the earth. Now - knowing about the relationships of the earth's resources is important, but often the primary source of information is available from the Internet, library or telephone call.


Kitchen Then - kitchen chores were for the women and children. The duties included making candles, spinning wool and churning butter. Songs were sung to make the time pass more quickly, but the students found the time seemed to pass too quickly. Adults kept the fire and wax hot for candle making. Safety is always a main concern, "Then and Now". Now - boys are allowed to help and items are purchased at a store, ready to eat, prepare or use. Safety continues to be a concern.