43
Children get history lesson at Austintown library
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Alize Kuster (left) and Ashley Buck both laughed when they saw how different each other looked in pioneer-era sun bonnets.
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Mahoning Valley Historical Society representative Esther Hallaman (right) asked for help to display a map showing the northeastern United States and the details of the creation of the Connecticut Western Reserve. Guest Mariah Schuller (left) observed the map closely.
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .After Hallaman finished her discussion, guests at the library were welcome to observe and touch some of the pioneer artifacts from the Arms Museum. Siblings Logan (left), Brody, and K.C. Pugh took a closer look at the goods.
By SARAH FOOR
During a hot and humid July 12 day, guests at the Austintown library felt a chill when they learned about surviving the harsh Ohio winters of long ago.
The Mahoning Valley Historical Society (MVHS) shared the story of Betsy Ward through the book “Warm as Wool,” and showed local children the realities of pioneer life in Ohio in 1803.
Esther Hallaman introduced the children’s book and presentation on behalf of the historical society. Before retiring, Hallaman was a teacher, but now spends her time volunteering for MVHS because of her love for history.
“In our home in the Arms Museum [in Youngstown], we receive many patrons who are older, but we want to show that we have a lot to offer kids, too. Seeing the items from our collective history really gives kids a great perspective of what life was like in this area only 200 years ago,” Hallaman noted.
The book “Warm as Wool” by Scott Russell Sanders explores the true story of Betsy Ward, along with her husband, Josiah, and her children Joshua, Sarah, and William, as they moved from Connecticut to Portage County, Ohio. When Betsy Ward finds that her family needs more than a log cabin to keep her family warm, she buys seven sheep.
Although wild animals strike four of her sheep, Betsy Ward finds that the sheep’s wool keeps her family warm and that, against the odds, she gets her flock to grow once again.
During the story, Hallaman paused often to tell her guests about the Mahoning Valley’s part in the Connecticut Western Reserve, about pioneer tools and toys that the Ward family would use and explored the day-to-day life of pioneers in 1803.
After Hallaman finished the story, guests were free to explore many of the tools that were provided by the historical society.
“We hope today’s discussion sparked an interest with the kids. Our area has a wonderful history,” Hallaman said.