Burnaby Village Museum

It's sometime in the 19th century, and  we've headed to the local blacksmith to have a screwdriver made. 

After heating a piece of metal, Mr. Lorne, the blacksmith, hammers the tip into shape on his anvil. Coal heats the fire. 

Colin, what's the difference between coal and coke?

Lucky Mira got to hammer a piece of plasticine, which is apparently the same softness as the super-hot metal. 

We moved into the old movie theatre to learn about the power of steam. Mr. Lorne said, "Steam power changed everything in the world."  How?

Here's a model of a steam engine. 

Here's the real thing!

One bucket of water creates 1,604 buckets of steam, so no wonder steam power was popular. 

Look on the roof to see what it creates when we pull the cord for the roof-top steam whistle.  

After lunch, it was time for our academics at Seaforth School. Fast forward to 1925.

 

Back then, children were seen and not heard, so the class was very quiet. Miss Sheehan, our teacher, ran a tight ship. You had to stand to the right of your desk to ask or answer a question.  You had to stand in the corner with your nose and toes touching the wall if you misbehaved!

The children sat in boy-girl order, and they filed out of the room silently for recess.  Outside, we could let loose playing marbles, skipping ropes, and walking on stilts. 

Go Miles!

Then back to work learning penmanship with a fountain pen.  Left-handed children were forced to use their right hands back then. Miss Sheehan didn't impose that on Matteo. 

Here's Tosh, writing methodically. 

Here's Ms. Munro inadvertently taking a selfie while trying to manage her umbrella. It was rainy, and teachers are often seen juggling several items at once. 

What a wonderful experience today was. Thank you so very much to Sandra, Silvija, Hamish, Bhavjit, Dino, and Marie for driving, and to Iman's mum for joining us too.