Early Education in Belgrade Schools
Of the many changes during the last seventy years or so, let’s talk about early education in our small town of Belgrade, Maine. I’m using early education, as I’m one who went though it and can remember some high points. The lower grade schools were located in each of our three small villages. Just for fun, let’s step back to 1952 and head off to “junior primary” in the Belgrade Lakes grade school. I suspect this was not so different in any of our other villages or neighboring towns.
We walk over to School Street from wherever we lived in our small village. There were no buses needed. Along the way, we join up with others, and mosey along our merry way with goofing, laughter, and whatever else kids can think of. The faded green cedar shingled building with the belfry awaits us on School Street as it has for several generations.
Keep in mind here that Grades Sub-Primary through 5 are all in the two-room schoolhouse. Any given class may have from one up to six or eight children. My class seems to have more than others, and I later learn that we are a group known as “war babies,” a result of men and women returning from World War II.
As our small group joins others in the yard, perhaps playing marbles or riding the teeter-totter, the bell soon clangs, and we move inside to our respective room and desks. Whoever has bell ringing duty is manning the long hemp hawser with knots that dangles from the front hall ceiling. We have been forewarned that goofing or riding the rope up and down as the bell rings is not allowed. Of course, we are doing it anyway when Miss Stevens is busy elsewhere. The bell will ring again at recesses and lunch hour, as well as the end of the school day.
The bell has a long history and was previously located at the first Belgrade Lakes school house on Main Street. For reasons unknown, a new, two-room school was built, and the Main Street location sold to the American Legion. Since than, several businesses have operated there, currently The Cork and Cow. The bell is retired now and is on display at the Belgrade Town Office. The engraving shows 1887 and the name C.M. Pray, that was perhaps the donor or the school superintendent. (Webmaster’s Note: According to the placard beneath the bell, C.M. Pray was most likely local farmer Charles Melvin Pray (1835–1904), who “made metal tools and implements and could have cast the bell.”)
The desks are a mix of various older types. Some have a chair and writing area all in one metal frame. The newer type is a separate desk and chair. They all have writing or carving on them, mostly initials from past students. We are told not to do that, but of course we do it a little, or pencil in the grooves of the existing letters. Our teacher warns us of “getting the paddle” if we misbehave. The paddle is an oak slat kept at the end of the teacher’s desk. Several of the boys goof off enough to get a paddle on their butts. The newer desks have flip-up tops with book storage underneath. They are deemed the best by the boys, as we can hide behind them while signaling to others or cheating. Somehow, we get through the years there until it’s time to go to the “big” school in Belgrade Depot and enter the higher grades. A new chapter begins there, but that is another story.
I hope you have enjoyed this little flashback memory of a simpler time and place.
Rod Johnson, a.k.a. “The Luckiest Boy,” is a member of the Belgrade Historical Society.
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