At a visit to the Museum dedicated to Laura Engels Wilder we saw this on the wall in the little school house replica: Early 20th century.
I want to teach my students how--
To live this life on earth,
To face its struggles and its strife
And to improve their worth.
Not just the lesson in a book,
Or how the rivers flow,
But to choose the proper path,
Wherever they may go.
To understand eternal truth,
And know right from wrong,
And gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song,
For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom and grace,
Then I feel that I have won
And I have filled my place.
And so I ask your guidance, God
That I may do my part,
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart.
James Metcalf
During our visit to Minnesota we stopped in at the museum dedicated to Laura Engels Wilder, the writer of the Little House on the Prairie books.
My, how things have changed!
While wandering through we saw this framed poster on the wall:
Rules for Teachers 1915
1. You will not marry during the term of your contract.
2. You are not to keep company with men.
3. You must be home between the hours of 8pm and 6am unless attending a school function.
4. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
5. You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
6. You may not ride in a carriage with any man unless he is a father or brother.
7. You may not smoke cigarettes.
8. You may not dress in bright colors.
9. You may under no circumstances die your hair.
10. You must wear at least two petticoats.
11. Your dresses may not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle.
12. To keep the school room neat and clean, you must: sweep the floor at least once daily, scrub the floor at least once a week with hot soapy water, clean the blackboards at least once a day, start the fire at 7 am so the room will be warm by 8 am.
