Treasures at the Unionville Museum

Every class at Union School has visited the Unionville Museum this month to see the new exhibit “Happy 75th Birthday, Union School! 1939 – 2014.″ 

Union School Principal Lynn Katz said it was important for all students to see the history of Union School at the museum's exhibit.

“Children learned a great deal about our school's history and gained an appreciation of how education has changed, and the way the museum has curated the exhibit engages visitors of all ages,” said Principal Katz.    “We are encouraging families to return to spend more time enjoying it- there is a lot to see and learn.”  

Ben Stern, who teaches fourth grade at Union School, noted that the fourth graders really enjoyed learning about the interwoven histories of the school and the town.  

“The students thoroughly enjoyed seeing photos of the school through the years, especially when the gym was flooded in '55!” said Mr. Stern.  “Lots of them were disappointed that we didn't have a longer time to spend in the museum.  They said they'd love to come back with their parents and see the exhibit again.”

Karen Cesca brought her first grade class to the museum, where the students enjoyed seeing all the different items on display, and they particularly marveled at the old wooden school desks.

“They asked me if the holes in the desks were for water bottles.  So we talked about inkwells and refilling ink pens, which they had never heard about before,” said Mrs. Cesca.   “The museum guides told us they were impressed by how engaged our first graders were with the exhibit.”

Union School in Farmington is a kindergarten through fourth grade elementary school, recognized as a National Exemplary School by the U.S. Department of Education.