Published Date: June 18, 2021

The Museum of the Grand Prairie is hosting its annual “Summer in the Schoolhouse” program, a historical twist on different subjects with a learning atmosphere much of the late 19th century. 

While the Museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the natural history of Champaign County and East Central Illinois, the Schoolhouse associated with it serves as a space for the “One-room schooling” aesthetic that mirrors the teaching styles of the late 1800s.

The program takes place once a week for the month of July with students enrolling from, roughly, grades pre-k to middle school. 

“We don’t have specific ages for lessons because much like when folks used to attend one-room schools in the area, there were no separate grades. You could be five years old sitting a couple of desks away from a 15-year-old but you would all be taught at the same time,” said Cain.