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Clay: Hi this is Clay Edmunds. I am the Museum Experience Manager at the Old Stone Fort and today I am here to talk about the Oliver Schoolhouse which is one of the buildings across the street from the Old Stone Fort. So, this schoolhouse school district #3 in the town of Summit which had 12 school districts when it first became a town in 1820. It was between the villages of Summitt and Charlottesville in a place called Clam Hollow. This particular one was built in 1863 after the previous schoolhouse in district #3 burned down that same year. This schoolhouse was in use until 1942 when there were only 3 students left. It was purchased by Dr. Ward Oliver in 1963. He attended this school as a boy and originally planned to open this schoolhouse as a museum. His family lived in the same home for 150 years and it was right near the schoolhouse. The schoolhouse was actually broken into and several items including books, maps, most of the furniture and even the school bell were stolen. In 1984 him and his wife, Dr. Virginia Oliver donated this schoolhouse to the Schoharie County Historical Society and it has remained here ever since.

Schoolhouses in general, most of them were built in the middle of their respective school district so the students would not have to walk more than 2 miles to school. In 1880, Schoharie County had 207 schools. Schoolhouses like these usually averaged between 20-30 students per year. It is important to note that this number reflects how many students were registered and not necessarily how many attended at the same time. Rural schools in particular often had two sessions with different children attending each.

School began with the ringing of the school bell at 9am and typically ended at around 4pm on weekdays and at noon on Saturdays. There was little to no homework and eighth grade was the highest grade back then, meaning that many students graduated by the time they were 13 or 14 years old. In 1894 New York passed a law which extended the school age to 16. The younger students sat in the front to be closer to the teacher, and boys and girls were separated from each other.

Different lessons were being conducted simultaneously but talking between each other was only allowed at recess. Everyday had two 15-minute recesses and an hour for lunch (which could also include another recess). Students brought their lunch to school everyday and often packed it in a pail or wrapped it in a handkerchief. Common foods for lunch included sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, chunks of cheese, cookies and even slices of bread or cold pancakes with molasses, jam, lard or sugar. Fruits and vegetables were also commonly brought when they were in season.

The three most prominent subjects taught in these early days were reading, writing and arithmetic. These were known as “the three R’s.” “Reading, Riting and Rithmatic.” Math (or arithmetic) was largely done mentally. Children would regularly recite math problems out loud.

Students had to stand while addressing the teacher as this encourages confidence in public speaking. The classroom would get very loud with the simultaneous activities going on, so the students really had to concentrate on what they were doing. Some of the younger students were able to get a “head start” for future years by hearing the older students repeat lessons. Individual slates and slate pencils were used for repetitive exercises. Older students used more paper, pencils and ink.

If a student misbehaved, the teacher would often have them stand in a corner and/or keep them after class. Teachers were allowed to strike students with a ruler who misbehaved.

Two Students chosen based on “scholastic achievement” would carry water for drinking and hand washing (in this case from the nearby Oliver house since there was no water source at the school itself). An outhouse (also called a “necessary”) was not far away for when a student had to use the restroom. Many schoolhouses like this one had two separate outhouses, one for boys and one for girls.

Teachers wages were low and many made between one and two dollars per day. Room and board was included in their payment and many teachers stayed at students houses. As for this schoolhouse, a lot of teachers stayed at the nearby Oliver home.

So anyway, that’s sort of an overview of the Oliver Schoolhouse and how schoolhouses were in general. Anyway, thanks for listening.