Colonial Village students step back in time

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, January 31, 2008

Colonial Village students met the potter at Genesee Country Village. Watching
him work are, from left, left Allyson Czaja, Mikayla Townsend and Julia Brown.

Fifth graders from Colonial Village Elementary School got a feel for life in the early eighteenth century during their recent visit to Genesee Country Village in Mumford.

“The students entered the village and were immediately transported back in time,” said teacher Jill Gonzalez. “They learned what it was like to cook over a fire in the fireplace and how to create lamps and utensils from tin.”

Students were amazed at the time our ancestors needed to accomplish tasks that take us only seconds, like copying the writing on a single sheet of paper, which took almost 10 minutes. Most dishware was created by the local potter and blankets took months to create by a group of quilters.

“They were awed at the schoolhouse with a teacher that taught all of her students in a single room. As the students entered the building, they were met with fires in the fireplace and a guide that explained the history of the building,” said Gonzalez.