PERU – Children in kindergarten through third grades enjoyed a field trip to 1904 Friday, thanks to seven members of the Peru Historical Society.

Timed to coincide with the youngsters’ 100th day of school, the society used antiques and artifacts, detailing what life and school were like in Peru at the turn of the 20th century.

Items attracting the most “Ooohs” and “Aahs” were a large wooden baby carriage from the late 1800s to early 1900s, old-time “washing machines” (scrubbing boards), a tiny pair of scrunched-up leather shoes, and old photos of people and children.

Society members Robert and Shirley Dolloff, Nick Waugh, Ginny Bragdon, Conrad and Nancy Knox, and Jane Newton answered every question asked by the inquisitive and lively bunch.

But only a few children correctly answered their questions about the names of certain antiques displayed or the number of schools in Peru in the early 1900s.

After Dolloff explained that Peru had seven different schools at that time, she asked why so many facilities were needed for less than 200 students.

One youth quickly mentioned the lack of vehicles back then.

Dolloff reacted with surprise, then told the student he was correct, before telling his schoolmates that students either walked to school, rode horses or in horse-drawn buggies.

She then stunned the children, telling them that Peru built a new school in 1904 for $700, and “sold the old school for $20, because it was in such bad shape.”

Students were also perplexed about the visual magic of an old stereoscope stereo viewer that changed two identical photographs into one before their very eyes.

Following the presentation, a handful of first-graders read essays they wrote about what they would do, wear, eat and look like when they were 100 years old.

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