Early education
Sitting with the other grownups on the benches at Blooming Prairie School, I was enthralled with Barb Shreves’ stories about the pioneer school. I could tell the other adults were fascinated, too.
The fourth-graders, of course, were earnest and polite. But I’m not sure they quite “get” the importance of learning about Wisconsin history. Myself, I don’t know that I got it until after high school.
Not to say I didn’t have an interest. Honest to Pete, when I was 11, I was convinced I was the re-incarnation of the most famous pioneer girl of all: Laura Ingalls Wilder. How a Catholic girl growing up in Janesville knew about re-incarnation, I have no idea. But I knew, I just KNEW I had been her in a previous life.
As an adult, I find it humbling to think about how hard it must have been to be one of those families that opened the Rock Prairie up for agriculture and the communities we know today. For example, when I’m working on my plot at the Community Garden near the Rock County Jail, I marvel at the families that battled the prairie wind to put their gardens in. Sure, I battle that same wind, but if I fail, I can just go to the store.
My uncle, who farms on the far eastern edge of the Rock Prairie, not far from the site of the original Blooming Prairie School, told me once that the early settlers were freaked out by the prairie grasses that grew as high as a man’s chest while he was on a horse.
In fact, my uncle and my dad attended another Walworth County one-room schoolhouse in the 1950’s. Now I blog about it. It makes my head explode a little.
OK. I’ll stop now.
I have a fourth-grader in the family, and we’re planning a trip to Tallman House this summer. I will try not to bore her to death with my enthusiasm. Are there other places we should visit to learn about Wisconsin history?
Jun 22, 2011 at 9:12 p.m.
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Don't miss the Octagon House Museum & America's First Kindergarten in Watertown!
Jun 22, 2011 at 5:11 p.m.
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It has been a goal of mine for years to visit all the State Historical sites. I havent had the chance to visit many yet but someday I will. Any and all of them are a great way to learn about this great state of ours. The State Historical website has links to all of the site and have a wealth of information! Old World is my all time favorite!!!! A must visit in every season!!!!
Jun 22, 2011 at 4:19 p.m.
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Oh!! Caddie Woodlawn! I was going to mention that book in the blog and forgot! That's another great one.
Ann Marie
Jun 22, 2011 at 3:19 p.m.
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Oops..just realized I merged the First Capitol building with the Ripon home of the Republican Party. First (State) Capitol is the one near Pendarvis.
Jun 22, 2011 at 3:17 p.m.
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There's a nice drive out "west" to where the Cornish miners lived in Pendarvis. Out that way is also the birthplace of the Republican Party. Villa Louis is not far, either, if you keep going to the river. If you go closer to the Twin Cities, Menominee boasts the real-and-true Caddie Woodlawn house (it's basically just a park...no frills, but you can stand in her actual house!) and she grew up not far from Laura Ingalls Wilder (the cabin is a reproduction, but the museum in town has some good stuff). I saw all of these places when I was little and again every few years when I got older...they're all worth visiting.
Jun 22, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.
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How about Old World Wisconsin, the Milton House,Circus World?
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