On Oct. 22 we took a field trip to Thornhill at Faust park to learn first hand what like was like for the early settlers in Missouri. We learned about the history of the mansion and the man who built it, Frederick Bates. We also learned about the Louisiana Purchase and how Frederick Bates was the land commissioner. We got to experience first hand what some of the daily chores were for kids during that time period. Everyone got to experience grinding corn, sawing wood, splitting rails, churning butter, hauling water and firewood and candle dipping. All of these chores would have been daily by kids in the 1800's!
One of our guides, Ms. Micah, showed us how the early settlers used poke berries and walnut shells to make dye for their clothing and ink to write with.
Mr. Tim, our other guide, taught us how Frederick Bates, the Land Commissioner of the Louisiana Territory, decided who owned the land that was claimed.
Grinding corn in the barn
Sawing wood for fires
Splitting rails to build fences
Ms. Micah showed us how some things in the historic kitchen are the same as in our current kitchens and some things are different.
Churning butter
We got to wash our hands the same way they would have in the 1800's, by using a bowl of water and rubbing plants between our hands. The chlorophyl in the plants killed all the germs on our hands. We also used soap that was made from ash and animal fat, the same kind they used in the 1800's.
Lunch time!
Hauling water. Kids would have had to walk almost a mile each way, several times a day to provide enough water for a family.
Hauling firewood.
Making candles
Tasting the butter we made. Yum!
Group photo as we were leaving Thornhill. We had a great day!
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