Second Graders Tour the Olde Stone House Historic Village
Second grade classes from the Wedgewood School took a trip to the Olde Stone House Historic Village in Washington Township on Monday, October 7, 2024 to learn about local colonial history.
Tour guides in costume met the students, and classes took turns visiting the historic buildings to experience some old-fashioned fun. At the George Morgan House, docent Ted Stout told students about the Morgan House and family, while students learned how to churn butter. At the old Blackwood Railroad Station, Jason Kline described South Jersey’s railroad service from the 1800s, and docent Brittany Kaizar taught the children to make a corn husk doll.
At the Bunker Hill Church, Ms. Valerie Vaughn, folk singer, led the students in old time songs and explained how songs tell stories of the past. In November, Ms. Vaughn will visit their classrooms and extend the experience by having the students create their own song about history.
At the end of the day, students left with their small jar of butter, their corn husk doll, and a coloring book about the Olde Stone House Historic Village. The program is a pilot to bring back student visits to the Village, a custom well remembered by attendees in past years. Nick Appice, Chair of the Township Historic Preservation Commission, said “The Commission is pleased to be bringing class trips back to the Village, something which hasn’t happened since the 90’s.” Afterward, the teachers said, “Kids were excited, and asked great questions.”
This program was a joint event sponsored by the Washington Township Historic Preservation Commission, Music at Bunker Hill, and the Friends of the Olde Stone House Historic Village. A number of volunteers from these organizations contributed to the outing. The day was funded by the Gloucester County Cultural & Heritage Commission with a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
About The Washington Township Historic Preservation Commission
The Historic Preservation Commission promotes awareness of local culture and history. The Board will preserve, present and educate the public about artifacts and traditions indigenous to Washington Township.
The functions and duties of the Commission shall be to establish long-range plans for the development of the Olde Stone House Village, and to plan, organize and implement programs of an entertaining and educational nature. Photos by Glenn Davis