Just a short trip down the road took Elk Rapids eighth-grade students back decades to the turn of the 20th century on the Samels Farm in Williamsburg.
The students from Cherryland Middle School spent more than six months researching what life was like on a northern Michigan farm at the turn of the century, then shared their knowledge by conducting tours of the homestead for fourth grade Mill Creek Elementary students.
Members of the Samels' Family Heritage Society introduced the Cherryland group to the 84 acre farm last fall triggering their interest in the daily challenges of farm life on the property purchased by Frank Samels in 1889.
"We have learned a lot about how much harder it was to do everything manually," said Ryleigh Abbas, who along with fellow classmates dressed in clothing appropriate to the time period.
"When you are in character you really feel like you are living it," Maggie Marshall added.
Students gave guided tours of the house, garden, barn, blacksmith shop, granary and an archeological site where Indian artifacts were discovered as the Samels family worked the soil. They also demonstrated everyday tasks like baking bread, using a wringer washer, planting onions, flailing grain and making wooden shingles.
Annie Hill, language arts teacher at Cherryland Middle School, used the opportunity to expand upon the eighth-grade required public speaking curriculum.
"They get a chance to learn local history and have researched all of the material," said Hall, noting that her students enjoy having a live audience to perform for.
"This really improves their public speaking skills and increases their self confidence," she added.
Fourth-grade teacher Laura Cobb was pleased that her students could be the recipients of Hall's students months long project.
"This is our heritage and it is right down the road. These kids have done a lot to explain our local history to my students," Cobb said.
Preserving that local history is just what the Samels' Family Heritage Society is dedicated to.
"This is exactly what the Samels' wanted when they set up the trust they wanted this farm used as an educational facility to preserve the history of farm life on a local, northern Michigan, farm," said Mary Anne Rivers, president of the society.
"We are hoping that we will be able to enlarge our program and allow more days when the farm is open to the public," Rivers said.
For more information on the Samels' Family Heritage Society, call Mary Ann Rivers at 264-8991.
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