In the Boulder History Museum’s Discovery Room, today’s kids can walk in the footsteps of previous generations of children.
Opened in 2008, this permanent exhibit features hands-on learning and play opportunities designed for children ages 4 through 10.
Kids can slide into an antique school desk with a chalk slate and imagine what classes were like before computers. Vintage school books and workbooks are available for perusing and comparing. And a display about Colorado’s oldest continuously operating elementary school — Boulder’s Whittier Elementary — shows the changes since the school opened in 1882.
Another section of the Discovery Room is dedicated to play. Before the advent of movies and television, kids entertained themselves with classic toys like Lincoln Logs or wooden puzzles, or an old-school game like Graces.
“Graces is an old-fashioned game of hoops,” says Susan Linde, marketing director for the museum. “Kids would partner up, each with two dowel rods, and they would criss-cross the rods to hold an embroidery hoop. When you pull the rods apart quickly, it sends the hoop up in the air for the partner to catch.”
The game was especially popular for young girls in the 19th century, as the actions were thought to be ladylike and promote graceful movement.
Farm activities also were a large part of many children’s daily lives in the past, so the Discovery Room offers several activities to re-enact rural life. Kids can simulate milking “Pansy,” a lifelike model cow, and go on egg-collecting hunts.
The quilting station is another interactive stop. One area includes a magnetic table where kids can move colored shapes around to create an original quilt design. Visitors can also use colored paper and design motifs to recreate popular patterns.
Period clothes for playing dress-up further enhance the experience. From farm chores to school work, quilting projects to games, the entire exhibit is designed to help kids experience what life as a child was like 100 years ago.
“The whole room is very much hands-on,” Linde says. “It’s not a big room, but there is a lot to do, and it’s been a big hit.”
The Discovery Room is at the Boulder History Museum, 1206 Euclid Ave., Boulder, 303-449-3464. Open today and Sunday noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $6 adults/$3 children (5 and under are free).
