Second Graders Tour Historic Main Street

On the morning of October 19, Robin Walker’s second grade class from Sandy Hook School visited several sites on Main Street to learn about Newtown’s early history.

With sunlight glinting off colorful foliage, the students began their journey at the Matthew Curtiss House. The children saw a glimpse of life from 250 years ago. The family who originally lived in the dwelling, they learned, slept on rope beds, cooked on a Franklin stove, and used a spinning wheel to make thread.

The next stop was Newtown Meeting House, where Sherry Paisley explained what life was like for a family in Colonial-era Newtown. The students were surprised to learn that the whole family attended church all day long.

They were more surprised, and a little tickled, when it was demonstrated how people were kept awake during the sermons. A feather dangling from a stick was used to wake up Ashley Moen as she pretended to doze in her seat. Matthew Auerbach was prodded with the hard knob on the end of the stick when he pretended to fall asleep.

The students proceeded from the meeting house to Edmond Town Hall for a tour of the building. The children met First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and had a surprise visit from Newtown Schools Superintendent Evan Pitkoff.

Mr Rosenthal discussed the philanthropy of Mary Hawley and how her generous donations benefited Newtown. He also addressed having a safe, “no flame” Halloween.

There happened to be a camera crew outside the town hall to interview Mr Rosenthal about the “no flame” Halloween. The crew also interviewed several students and parents in the group.

The field trip wrapped up at Cyrenius Booth Library where the children watched a short history film and toured the library. Librarian Marie Walker led the group to a room on the top floor which housed items from Mary Hawley’s home.