KING FERRY - Several people swayed back and forth and sang to the music of “Jingle Bell Rock” and other Christmas carols during a holiday event at the Rural Life Museum's one-room schoolhouse on Sunday.
Marylin Mann, who organized the museum event, said the purpose was to show people how the holidays were celebrated in the 52 one-room schools that now make up the Southern Cayuga Central School district.
“I don't know of any other one-room schoolhouses in the area that are open to the public like we are,” Mann said. “Our school is also a museum, so this is our way of presenting the past history of the area to the residents.
In addition to singing carols, wood-carving demonstrations, charcoal drawing and cookies, the event featured 93-year-old guest speaker Malvie Hunt, who recounted her childhood experiences in a one-room schoolhouse similar to the one in King Ferry.
In a time when it was easier to go Christmas shopping in New York City than in Auburn, Hunt said some of her favorite memories were when her school was transformed into a holiday toy store.
“It was easier to get a train out of Venice to go shopping in New York City than it was to find a car and go to Auburn,” said Hunt, who used to be a student at the former District 11 school near Sherwood. “But whenever they transformed that one-room schoolhouse into a toy shop, to me that was one of the most wonderful things I saw as a child.”
With the amount of time she spent in the small buildings, Hunt said returning to a one-room schoolhouse was like going back home.
“I taught in a one-room schoolhouse after I graduated from college,” Hunt said. “So I went to one as a student and I taught at one, so being back in one today is like being in an old home.”
Susan May, who played the Christmas music, said she was happy she could come out to support local history while sharing her music.
“I love history and there is so much of it here,” May said. “It's great that we can have people like (Hunt) here who can share their stories with us. I think it's great that we have people like her here who can help keep the past alive.”
In addition to reliving the past, Mann said residents also got a chance to give back to the community by making donations to the Genoa Food Pantry or the Cayuga County Domestic Violence Intervention Program.
As people came into the small wooden building, several stopped by the Christmas tree, decorated in red ribbons and beads, to place knitted clothing, toiletries or canned fund under the branches.
Karla Taylor, who came to the event with her daughter Amella Taylor, said the event was not only a great way to bring the community together, but a way to get into the spirit of giving.
“I thought it was a relaxing old-fashion Christmas event,” Taylor said. “It sort of reminds you about what Christmas is really about.”
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
“I don't know of any other one-room schoolhouses in the area that are open to the public like we are,” Mann said. “Our school is also a museum, so this is our way of presenting the past history of the area to the residents.
In addition to singing carols, wood-carving demonstrations, charcoal drawing and cookies, the event featured 93-year-old guest speaker Malvie Hunt, who recounted her childhood experiences in a one-room schoolhouse similar to the one in King Ferry.
In a time when it was easier to go Christmas shopping in New York City than in Auburn, Hunt said some of her favorite memories were when her school was transformed into a holiday toy store.
“It was easier to get a train out of Venice to go shopping in New York City than it was to find a car and go to Auburn,” said Hunt, who used to be a student at the former District 11 school near Sherwood. “But whenever they transformed that one-room schoolhouse into a toy shop, to me that was one of the most wonderful things I saw as a child.”
With the amount of time she spent in the small buildings, Hunt said returning to a one-room schoolhouse was like going back home.
“I taught in a one-room schoolhouse after I graduated from college,” Hunt said. “So I went to one as a student and I taught at one, so being back in one today is like being in an old home.”
Susan May, who played the Christmas music, said she was happy she could come out to support local history while sharing her music.
“I love history and there is so much of it here,” May said. “It's great that we can have people like (Hunt) here who can share their stories with us. I think it's great that we have people like her here who can help keep the past alive.”
In addition to reliving the past, Mann said residents also got a chance to give back to the community by making donations to the Genoa Food Pantry or the Cayuga County Domestic Violence Intervention Program.
As people came into the small wooden building, several stopped by the Christmas tree, decorated in red ribbons and beads, to place knitted clothing, toiletries or canned fund under the branches.
Karla Taylor, who came to the event with her daughter Amella Taylor, said the event was not only a great way to bring the community together, but a way to get into the spirit of giving.
“I thought it was a relaxing old-fashion Christmas event,” Taylor said. “It sort of reminds you about what Christmas is really about.”
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
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