Naper Settlement

This past Saturday was a busy day for us.  We first stopped by my grandfather's house to see if there were any pieces of memorabilia we wanted to keep and visited with my Uncle Jim for a little bit.  We then drove to a country store to pick up some chandeliers I had been wanting to get for our dining room and stairway.  We then drove to a place called Naper Settlement to walk through its outdoor museum.  Unfortunately, due to traffic and construction, we were rushed for time every place we went.  We ended up with only 2 hours at Naper Settlement and we really needed at least 4.  Maybe we'll go back this summer.  We still enjoyed each visit, though!

On the steps of the Martin Mitchell Mansion.  I would have loved to see the inside, but we ran out of time.

Hailey got to participate in a "school session".  If only these rules were still practiced today!

In demonstrating, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness", the teacher came around to inspect everyone's palms and fingernails.  As you can see in Hailey's expression, she was getting a little worried that her hands weren't as clean as they were supposed to be! :-)  We had read in a book recently that during this era (the 1800's), teachers could be as young as 16 years old and had to develop respect amongst their students or the class could become very unruly and unproductive.  The teachers were very strict.

They had to recite a passage from a book.

They then had to write their name very neatly on a chalkboard.

The teacher came around to inspect everyone's handwriting to make sure it was neat.  Once again, you can see the worried expression on Hailey's face.

Brian and I both commented that we think this was the neatest she's ever written her name! :-)

Behind the log house.

Watching the blacksmith work on a piece of iron.