NORWAY — The Norway Historical Society recently surprised students at the Guy E. Rowe Elementary School with a visit from C.A. Stephens, Norway’s most famous author.

Larry Glatz of Harrison, who impersonates C.A. Stephens, told the fourth-grade students about himself, his writings and his life in Norway 100 years ago.

Stephens was under contract for most of his career to “The Youth Companion,” writing thousands of short stories for the popular magazine.

“He was awesome,” teacher Marsha Wood said.

The students also took a school bus ride to visit sites around Norway that Stephens mentioned in his writings. They also saw places where he lived and wrote.

Each year, second- through sixth-grade Rowe school students walk down Main Street to the Norway Historical Society, weather permitting. The society, which is near the school on the corner of Main and Whitman streets, can provide young scholars with learning experiences outside the classroom, even in a time of educational budget cuts, according to the society.

The society’s educational committee — retired Rowe teacher Elaine Lagueux, Marion Howe and curator Charles Longley — prepare the hands-on lessons.

This year, due to rain, the society traveled to the school. Its educational committee prepared lessons about rocks and minerals for the fifth-graders who came to the society headquarters a week later.

The Norway Historical Society is open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday mornings and from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays. Admission is free. Norway parents are encouraged to come with their children, who can share what they have learned.