1917 Chalkboard Lessons found in Oklahoma School

OK this isn't about video games or vintage electronics but I love the story.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. —
Before iPads, calculators, computers, smart phones schools were a little different in 1917. During a renovation project Wednesday contractors made a amazing discovery. 

While removing chalkboards at Emerson High School to install whiteboards they discovered even older boards behind them. The hidden chalkboards date back to the early 1900s.

“It was almost like a spiritual moment because people who had lived and played and worked in here ... a part of them is preserved,” Emerson High School Principal Sherry Kishore said. “It’s like you’re going back in time.”




A single swipe of the hand could erase these historic writings. Yet they have survived for nearly 100 years. The chalkboards still had lessons written on them, on subjects such as multiplication and penmanship.

Oklahoma City Public Schools said a lesson on pilgrims was found in every classroom.

“The penmanship blows me away, because you don’t see a lot of that anymore,” Emerson High School Principal Sherry Kishore. “Some of the handwriting in some of these rooms is beautiful.”



A spokeswoman said the district is working with the city to “preserve the chalk work of the teachers that has been captured in time.”

The writing also gives us a glimpse into the teaching methods used in the early 20th century.

Looking at these images I wonder if the teachers and students consciously left the lesson on the chalkboard? Was this their version of a time capsule? Or perhaps they saw no need to clean a chalkboard that was being replaced. We will never know but I love when we discover unexpected treasures.

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