by Pat Lavin
11-20-2013
Fire buckets, witch trials, “bone shaker,” straw hats, Musterfield, Dennison, Shoppers’ World ….
What do all these words have in common? Ask one of more than 100 students from Framingham’s Adult ESL Program who visited the Framingham History Center this fall. They might say these words helped to tell us the story of Framingham’s early settlement to the present day.
New vocabulary filled the air as docents escorted students through the three floors of The Old Academy building and to Edgell Memorial Library. Students excitedly connected artifacts on display to those they had seen, and in some cases, used in their native countries. Our 19th century school display brought out many interesting and fun stories of schooling in other parts of the world. It was quite noticeable to many that the basic farming tools of the 18th century hadn’t changed so much that they couldn’t be used today. That old iron shovel could still dig a perfect hole! The display case of exotic birds, quickly noticed by students from Brazil, connected the story of the Brazilian Para Rubber Shoe Company that occupied the building which later became the home to the Dennison Manufacturing Company.
Along with its importance as a Civil War Memorial, Edgell Memorial Library’s special exhibit, Shoppers’ World, lent itself to conversation about old and new ways of shopping.
The Framingham History Center tour is a great way to enrich and expand the study of the English language and at the same time learn about the history of our community, Framingham. The docents felt they learned a lot from the students as well.
New words certainly are a stimulating catalyst for conversation!