Mount Vernon Comes to Bucknell

Two wonderful docents from Mount Vernon visited our school. Each of the fourth grade classes were sheduled for a 45 minute session to learn about life in the 18th century at Mount Vernon. Becoming archeology detectives they examined an array of reproduction artifacts (a fancy name for household items used by early colonial people), sherds like from the excavations of the Mt. Vernon slave quarters, and trash midden. They were encouraged to discuss and compare life then with their lives now.

Several items were on display for discussion.

A Canlde Holder .... No electric lights in those days

A Fly Catcher .... put a little honey or sugar in and get rid of those little nuisances.

A Candle Maker

A Bed Warmer and a Foot Warmer helped during those cold winters. Remember heating the house was by fireplace not furnace!

Did you know where the word “toaster” came from? An old cooking item was an iron standing grid that bread slices were slide into and placed in front of the fire. This grid could turn around and the story goes that the women would push it with their toe.....originating the term "toe stir" which eventually became toaster.

What is it? A toe stir!! Never heard of such a thing

From a box filled with dirt from the excavations going on at Mount Vernon, the students pulled out bones of deer, cow and sheep as well as pieces of metal, glass and shells. By piecing together these remnants of the past, archeologists are able to determine what life was like over 200 years ago. Then the students working in small groups pieced together pottery sherds and identified what they had found..... porceline from England, Wedgewood china, and everyday plates and bowls.

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