Always Plenty to Do

Down on the Farm
When we offer our schoolhouse living history experience to visitors,  most of us cover lessons in reading, writing and arithmetic, memory gems, spelling, geography, patriotism, and penmanship. Some of us might play up a particular historical context in the life of the schoolhouse. If sufficient time is allotted, we may even mention the rigorous schedules of farm children, their long walks to and from school, and their responsibilities in and out of school that far exceed those of today's students. 

Here I will offer suggestions of two wonderful resources that bring those farm chores and youthful responsibilities to life. Both are written from the child's perspective and the two authors offer not a mere glimpse, but detailed narratives of what farm chores required of such a young generation. 

Always Plenty to Do, by Pamela Riney-Kehrberg
A Book of Chores as Remembered by a Former Kid, by Bob Artley

Presenting a list of "chores" accomplished by children of the 19th century and early 20th century is usually met with shock and awe by our visitors and rightfully so. That kind of work is alien to children of the 21st century. Even the walk to school is met with disbelief. And as Pamela Riney-Kehrberg reminds us, "For most farm children, their help was absolutely essential to their families survival, and families managed because everyone contributed." She also pays homage to the country school in a her chapter, Going to School, reminding us how not all farm children remained on the farm  adding that, "with a good education, young people could choose many different jobs."

Bob Artley's narrative is like a how-to on farm chores, adding delightful cartoon illustrations that portray the rigors and the humor of completing his jobs. You'll learn HOW to milk a cow and clean a cow barn! 

Now....If we could just get our "kids" to read these books! In the meantime, they serve as wonderful compendiums of knowledge about the life of farm children that we can share with them (at the very least).
Both books are available at AbeBooks.com, alibis.com, and Amazon, at good pre-owned prices.

---