AURORA

Hank Mehus, of Wilsonville, instructs student Mario Schwonkiler how to cut a cedar shake using a froe, a handmade tool.

Photo by Diana Schweitzer

Tanner Peterson, Erynn Palo and Allie Nelson, make candle holders at the Stauffer Will Farm in Aurora.

Photo by Diana Schweitzer

Imagine having no electricity, running water or plumbing: Each week fourth grade students step off their buses at the Stauffer-Will Farm, and enter into the 19th century, where they learn hands on what life was like for the Aurora colonists.

Fifty-two students in Nancy Curtis's and Vicki Woolhiser's classes at Boeckman Creek Primary School learned a part of Oregon history through hands on activities recently.

They made candles in the old chicken coop, learning about the many uses for both candles and for chickens. They cut cedar shakes, learning how they would have been used for the roof of the old barn.

They learned about the many uses for the barn, in housing both horses and cows, and learned how the buildings were made.

By using an old buck saw to cut wood, students learned the hard work that went into cutting firewood to keep a family's home warm.

The students appeared to be surprised by the many chores to be done on the farm by children and adults.

Woolhiser said that this is the first year their school has come to the Stauffer-Will Farm.

"This is a great hands on experience for the kids," she said. "It makes them realize how much work there was to do on a farm."

Her students just finished learning about Lewis and Clark, she said, and their visit to the farm kicks off their studies of the Oregon Trail.

Wile learning that a colony family would make 40 loaves of bread a week, the students made biscuits, which were them cooked in a wood stove, and learned how to collect yeast.

After learning of the importance of having wool for clothing and for the inside of blankets, students chose fabric scraps and created their own quilt squares.

Students loaded the bus, leaving the farm with their cedar shakes, candles, candle holders, bread and quilt squares, to remember the day by.

Coordinator Tracy Buckley, said it takes at least six volunteers to run the five stations each day.

"The kids have a great time," she said, "and volunteers deserve a giant pat on the back."

Along with showing the students how to complete the activities, volunteers teach them about the history of the buildings, and the importance of having the many different elements, such as candles, on the farm.

The Stauffer-Will Farm is run by the Aurora Colony Historical Society for 12 to 18 weeks in the spring months. It is only open for grade school classes, not the general public.

Two other forth grade classes from Wilsonville are scheduled to go to the farm Tuesday, April 29.

North Marion schools are scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, Friday, May 23 and Thursday, May 29.

Every year schools come from around the state to visit the farm; this year the farthest school is coming from Ashland on May 30.

Schools or volunteers interested in participating at the Stauffer-Will Farm should contact the Aurora Colony Historical Society at 503-678-5754.