Exploring museums and historic sites can offer a glimpse into the lives of those who came before us, but there is something special about discovering relics from the past on your own. Recently, staff members at an Oklahoma school uncovered perfectly preserved chalkboards from 1917 hidden behind their walls.
Uncovering the Past
During renovations at Emerson High School in Oklahoma City, construction workers found older chalkboards under the ones being removed. These boards, with chalk still intact, hinted at a time from 1917 with hand-drawn calendars and vibrant colors that looked freshly done.
“To know that it was drawn 100 years ago… it’s like you’re going into a looking glass into the past,” said English teacher Cynthia Comer.
Principal Sherry Kishore marveled at the penmanship and different teaching techniques used in the lessons, such as a unique wheel for multiplication tables. The chalkboards in other classrooms displayed Thanksgiving themes and even a “countdown to Christmas” calendar.
“When you walk into these rooms it’s like they just left the lesson and they’re expecting to come back the next day and start again,” said Kishore.
One chalkboard even contained a version of the pledge of allegiance from 1917. The discovery was a highlight for Kishore, who worked to preserve the chalkboards to keep this rare glimpse into the past.
Preserving History
The school district and city collaborated to protect the chalkboards, showcasing a piece of history that had been hidden for decades. The find in Oklahoma serves as a reminder that sometimes, history is right in front of us, waiting to be uncovered.
