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Saturday, June 25, 2016

Old Blackboard Treasures Discovered in Oklahoma

by Dianne

When contractors began work on four classrooms of Emerson High School in Oklahoma, they knew their remodel would improve education - but they never expected it would impact local history.


Looking to upgrade the rooms with new whiteboards and smartboards, the workers had to first remove the outdated chalkboards. But when they began to pull away the old boards, they made a startling discovery.....


Beneath the current boards rested another set of chalkboards - untouched for nearly 100 years. Protected and totally undisturbed, the century-old writings and drawings looked like they were made just yesterday. Here, a November calendar rolls into December. A turkey marks the celebration of Thanksgiving.


A multiplication table gives us a glimpse into the curriculum and methods taught in 1917, techniques perhaps lost in the passage of time. When regarding a wheel of multiplication, Principal Sherry Kishore told The Oklahoman, “I have never seen that technique in my life.”


But Oklahoma City school officials aren’t just shocked by what is written, but how it is written. Penmanship like this is clearly a lost art. This board reads,
“I give my head, my heart, and my life to my God and One nation indivisible with justice for all.”


Within each of the four rooms, the subject matter and lessons mirrored one another - indicating, as an Oklahoma Public School Twitter caption reads, “aligned curriculum in 1917.”


And though the boards’ style and subject matter might be unfamiliar to younger folks, they certainly resonate with older generations. Principal Kishore told The Oklahoman what it was like to show her 85-year-old mother the boards:

“She just stood there and cried. She said it was exactly like her classroom was when she was going to school.”


But these boards actually predate Principal Kishore’s mother by 13 years. Two dates were found on the boards: November 30, 1917, and December 4, 1917.


Some of the writings and drawings were done by students, while others were made by teachers - but it’s not always clear whose is whose.


Regardless, the work is a striking look into days long gone. While reading the boards - like this one listing “My Rules To Keep Clean” - the past comes alive in a very personal way.



English teacher Cynthia Comer told The Oklahoman, “It was so eerie because the colors were so vibrant it looked like it was drawn the same day. To know that it was drawn 100 years ago…..it’s like you’re going into a looking glass into the past.”



Built in 1895, Emerson High School has seen many renovations and improvements throughout the years - but nothing like this has ever been discovered.


When removing old chalkboards in the past, contractors have only found broken pipes and wires, so this is a shocking surprise. Oklahoma City and the school district are now working to preserve these beautiful boards.


When removing old chalkboards in the past, contractors have only found broken pipes and wires, so this is a shocking surprise. Oklahoma City and the school district are now working to preserve these beautiful boards.

37 comments:

Just_Lin said...

Dianne Thank you for this blog. What an interesting find those blackboards are.

I'm glad you were able to get out. I take it that your bruising and swelling are much better now. Wow! You lost 16 lbs? That's a lot! I just reached my 10 lb mark but it took me 4 1/2 weeks to do it.

As for the Smart Ones frozen dinners: I like the lasagna. I had that with a salad but last night I had the chicken parmesan and that was not very good. I won't be buying that again.

Just_Lin said...

Mary Wow! That's what that lady calls a light lunch? It sounds wonderful. I'm sorry something about it made you sick.

Congrats to your son regarding the employment. That's great that he has his foot in the door and will be doing something he trained to do.

I'm very concerned about the Brexit thing and you are right that some people didn't seem clear on what they were voting for. It is having a big impact, that's for sure.

Mary/MI said...

JustL, You look mighty purdy up there in the branch!

Both you and Dianne make me look pretty bad! I have not lost an ounce! I am back on the diet,not diet,eat less, eat better, no more pop,and easy on the desserts thing!
Today will not be counted as we are going to an open house. My Nieces always put out a fantastic table of decedent food! It is my Great Nieces Graduation open house. The temps. will be sky high! Better than a rainy washed out day I guess.

Good hearing from you Hodi!! Good thing you are young! You can bounce back better than some of us "a bit" older lol!!

Time to put on my glad rags and face and head out. Have a great day all!!

Mary/MI said...

Ouch You stepped on me JL LOL!! hAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Just_Lin said...

Barb I don't know what kind of food you feed your kitties but Hill's has expanded their recall.

LOL I just had to edit the above sentence as I had typed "what kind of foot you feed your kitties".

Mary/MI said...

I seem to forget to take my caps off after the "JL"

Just_Lin said...

Mary Oops! Sorry! I didn't see you there.

Just_Lin said...

HOdi I hope you're having a good day.

Jodi said...

DIANNE - What an interesting blog!! I still love the whole penmanship thing! My kids can barely read cursive, let alone write in it. It's kind of sad, really.

Jodi said...

I got an email from my clinic today. My scan results came in, and no aneurysms! I was so nervous yesterday.

Jodi said...

Sitting in the beer tent waiting for the band to start. One of the guys in the band is a regular at my store. He and his wife come in every morning for an iced coffee. Can't stay too long, because i work at 4 am tomorrow.

Jodi said...

SLIN - Prettiest in all the blog! I always appreciate your heads up to a new blog!

Jodi said...

MARY - It took awhile, but I so appreciate being able to move again!

Jodi said...

Some of my friends just walked in. I'll check in before work. Cheers!!!

Mary/MI said...

Jodi, I would love to be out and listening to music! It just seems like most start way late and I am usually in my pjs lol! I was invited to hang out with a few friends at Karaoke tonight, but it wasn't going to start until 9:30. I am a night owl, just not much after dark loll!!

Dianne, I forgot to mention how much I loved the chalk board discoveries! Simpler times. Penmanship was a big thing at my school. Jim used to have beautiful writing. I used to ask him to address some envelopes because his writing was better than mine. Now that he has bad arthritis, it's hardly legible. He tries, especially on the crossword puzzles.

My Great Nieces open house was great. She is such a doll and smart little shit. She will heading to college this fall.
They had a taco bar, so I didn't do too much damage lol!

Dianne/Denver said...

Hi....boy am I glad this isn't last week!! I feel so much better. Went to the movie today to see Me Before You. It was a chick flick sad glad movie! Barb and I went to the 11am movie and surprisingly, it was pretty busy for that time of day. Took Louis to the Red Lobster for Fathers Day dinner...his choice. Tomorrow night we are going to the melting Pot...not my fav ...for Emilees 16th bday. She's bringng four friends.

In the low 80's today..nice out and love that we have no humidity in Colorado.

Sounds like a nice party today, Mary. I like family gatherings. Enjoyed your pictures on FB. I think fun starts too late too Mary. I'm a true night owl but I like to be in pjs by 9:30. Ahhh, to be young again. I sure would like to hear you singing some time.

Jodi, so glad your test came back good. It's always scary waiting for results. Is your head better? Did you have fun tonight? How's Sam doing?

JL, wow you look beautiful on that branch. Good for you with ur weight loss. Ummm, I kind of did it in a different way. I'll have a gain next week after that big of a loss plus I'm eating again! Had shrimp and lobster for dinner. I'm gettin pretty good eating on the one side.

Barb, what are you doing over the weekend? Have 4th plans? We don't but I wish we did.

Just_Lin said...

HOdi Phew! Thank goodness that your scan results were good. That' certainly a relief. I hope you aren't having anymore headaches. You work so hard and still manage to go out more than anyone else I know. Party on, Girl!

Just_Lin said...

Mary I'm not sure when it started but I now seem to be in my nightgown and robe shortly after 10:00. That would be right after I take the dog out for her last pee of the night. I think I feel sleepier as soon as I take my daytime clothes off. LOL I guess it's a psychosomatic thing.

Just_Lin said...

Dianne I'm interested in seeing The Free State of Jones. Maybe I can do that next week.

I'm glad you're able to eat again. 16 lbs is too much to drop all at once. Your lobster and shrimp sounds good. Did you have any of those biscuits? Yummy!

Just_Lin said...

Barb Yoo hoo! Where are you?

Dianne/Denver said...

Yup,had biscuits too.

Mary/MI said...

The picture on my FB wall is of two sister by different Mothers. The oldest one was having a hard time because it was the anniversary of her Mother's death. She died in a terrible car/semi truck accident when the kids were very young, she has a brother. It was a closed casket. It was very hard on everyone.She has grown into a sweet and beautiful young lady. She works at a hospital and does sonograms. She told some very funny stories about old coots coming on to her as she was doing their scrotum area lol!!

Not much going on this week with me. I am going to tackle my spare bedroom where all the stuff from my office was stored. I have a lot to go through. File,store,donate discard yada yada yada!!
Sleep tight all!

Dianne/Denver said...

Well, I finally saw my dear Kayla take abuse from Jake-ass. Today was ems 16th bday snd tonight was the melting pot dinner. Kayla showed up late as Jake detained her most of the day. She sat with the other five girls for dinner laughing and talking thei teenage talk at a separate table from us. He then started calling her telling her she was there too long (about an hour) and that he doesn't like her sister so she shouldn't have gone. He called her over and over until she was hysterical and said she has to go. As she hugged me she was crying and I can hear fear in her voice. She said nana I have to go now or I'll be in more trouble. It was heartbreaking. I just don't understand it. Why ehybsheccsnt make a break. If it was her husband, I'd be taking her to a safe house! Sorry for my going on but it's so upsetting to me right now.

Dianne/Denver said...

It was supposed to say why she doesn't make a break not all that garbled type

Just_Lin said...

Dianne I'm so glad Kayla at least has family close by. Jake-ass is doing his best to separate her from all of you so he can have the control. This isn't anything you don't already know, I'm sure. I wish she could get ongoing counseling. He won't want her to, of course, and he'll get his way if it's left up to her to actually show up for the sessions. It appears she is afraid of his wrath.

Just_Lin said...

Mary That's so tragic about the girls' mother. They are both lovely. I bet the old coots love giving that one who does sonograms a hard time (no pun intended) and hoping to make her blush. At this point, though, she's probably literally "seen it all". LOL

Just_Lin said...

I'm feeling rather miserable today. I have a kink in my neck preventing me from turning my head to the left. It kind of started out two days ago when I was in the backyard lifting some heavy cobblestones and rearranging them. I probably only moved about 10 of them but I could tell that night that my neck and upper shoulder muscles were feeling it. Then last night I had the dog on a leash in the front yard waiting for her to do her final pee of the night when she suddenly bolted in a direction that was the reverse of the direction I was facing. She spun me around and almost made me lose my balance. That seemed to be the final straw for my neck. I think it was the neighborhood skunk that ducked under my front porch/deck.

Mary/MI said...

Dianne, how I wish your Kayla could see the red flags!I was married 7 years to an abuser. It only escalates! Keep an eye out for any physical abuse. She may try to hide it. My ex would only hurt me where no one would notice. Mental abuse is even worse in my opinion! I was sure I didn't deserve an better. Being that young she is grasping at the one person in her age bracket that shows her attention. It is an exhilarating feeling . Kind of like "he must really love me to be so jealous and wanting to keep me to himself". I know. I lived it! I will put her at the top of my prayer list!!

JL, I keep lifting heavy things I know I shouldn't! I am one of those gals that thinks she has to carry all the grocery bags into the house at one time. I don't want Jim to hurt himself, so I do a lot of lifting, like a case of bottled water for one thing! Tonight we walked the dogs. Part of our walk is uphill. Jim has trouble with his legs and breathing so he takes the lower path. Well, half way down the hill Zoie looked like she was getting pooped, so I carried her little fat arse down the rest of the way lol! Now my lower back and neck are hurting. I took a Motrin PM. I hope it kicks in soon!

Later....

sacBarb said...

Helooo HOoters.

I have been busy prepping for a card making session that will take place at my house Sat. and Sun. The two Jennifers and I have big plans to make a bunch of cards and also to discuss designs for our Christmas cards.

This blog was so interesting. How amazing that all that was found in such good condition. It is sad that cursive is not taught today like it was in the past. The Catholic schools taught the Palmer method where we had to make rows and rows of circles and letters to practice our cursive alphabet. Chad is the only one of my kids who has decent handwriting and that's because he is left handed and his second grad teacher took a lot of time with him teaching him cursive writing. She was also left handed and she told me she wanted him to be able to write without smudging all that he had already written, so she worked with him to place his hand so it was almost like a right handed person instead of upside down like a lot of left handed people.

sacBarb said...

J/L, I will have to look up the recall list for Hill's cat food to see if their food has been added to the list. They eat Hill's Prescription d/d Venison and Green Pea formula for skin/food allergies. It wasn't on the first list, but I didn't hear that more has been added. Thanks for the info.

sacBarb said...

Dianne, It hurts my heart that Kayla is being treated so badly and she can't seem to see that she doesn't have to take that kind of treatment. I will continue to pray she will see the light!

sacBarb said...

Jodi, I'm so happy for you that the scan was clear.

sacBarb said...

Mary, That was some "light" lunch. I wonder what she calls a full lunch? Sorry it made your tummy yucky.

Just_Lin said...

Hi, HOoters. I'm cold today. It's foggy here on the coast and about 58*. This is definitely June Gloom.

Last night John and Jane and I went to the movies to see "The Free State of Jones" starring Matthew McConaughey. It was very good and we all learned some new things about American history that is not taught in school. Walking into the theater we were going up the steps to get to the highest row of seats when I fumbled with my popcorn and soda and my soda dropped and spilled all over the carpeted steps. Oops! Much later, I dropped my popcorn bag, too. Fortunately I was 3/4 of the way through it, anyway. I don't know why I had the "dropsies". It reminded me of that old joke, "I just washed my hands and can't do a thing with them".

Dianne/Denver said...

JL, that's why I don't usually get snacks at the movie. I'm lucky to get myself to the seat. I haven't really heard much about that movie.

Took the granddaughters to dinner last night and they didn't even rush me...although the they were quite late. I've learned if they are meeting me to bring a magazine and wait in the car until they get there.

I went for check up at dentist yesterday and I think I'm going to have a repeat performance on the other side. My tooth is loose holding that bridge and hurts constantly. I'm really is dismay over it for 1) the cost 2) the pain 3)the whole damn thing. She put a wire in the loose tooth to make it more steady but it fell out at dinner.

Barb, do you serve meals at your card making party. Already getting ready for Christmas ...you are on the ball. Thank you for the Kayla prayers.

Mary, thank you also for the prayers. I pray my heart out for her.

Dianne/Denver said...

P. S. Jul...it's 90'here

Just_Lin said...

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