Volunteers tell the story of the Gray/Campbell Farmstead in Nathanael Greene Park and the 5th grade program

Importance of Volunteers

I recently spent a couple of joyful and educational hours with Betty Jane Turner, Dorothy (Dottie) Dillard, Angelica Long (and mother’s helper, daughter Savannah Long), Ryan Brown and Earl Viets, volunteers of the Gray/Campbell Farmstead, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, Missouri. These four volunteers graciously consented to an interview about the 5th grade program on the farmstead while awaiting the arrival of students, teachers and parents.

Betty Jane Turner

I had previously contacted Michelle Atkinson, President of the “Friends of the Gray/Campbell Farmstead,” for information. She suggested I visit the farmstead and speak with Betty Jane Turner and other volunteers on Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, around 9:00am. 5th graders were expected to view the buildings and hear about the history of this unique farm

I met Betty, a kind and learned lady who was very happy to tell me anything I wanted to know about this historic site. Here I quote: “ I feel the importance of this particular site - the whole farmstead  -  especially the house with the history of Springfield and the architectural aspect is of importance to the children - the 5th graders.  There is such a difference in the lifestyle of our children in comparison to the lifestyle of the children of the Civil War era.  That is basically what the 5th Grade program is about.

Gray/Campbell Farmstead

The 5th grade program is in jeopardy right now. The teachers have to provide transportation - not personally, but they have to find someone who will fund the buses. I would dearly love it if we would be able to find businesses which would give us $160.00 per day for the buses. I think we would be able to get more classes to visit us out here. Right now, that is where we are falling short. We are not getting the students. The teachers who have been here with their classes want this program and will do anything to have it continue. Volunteers and the community support the farmstead - no federal funding!”

Betty looks around and points at the farm buildings. She continues: “The city gave us a place to put the farm. They mow the grass. The men will help if we ask them to - they cooperate. All the stuff about the history and the 5th grade program is on the Gray/Campbell website.”

Betty continued: “ It is very interesting how the 5th grade program started. We did it through the Phelps program with advanced students. The students came out here to the farmstead and worked out the curriculum. They spent the day -  they cooked. They skinned a rabbit and cooked it all day. I do not remember who the Superintendent of Schools was at the time. He was a big guy - jovial. He was brave. He came out to eat with us. He ate the rabbit stew. That day we learned how much we could accomplish out here.

We need help. I am 87 years old and so is Dorothy (Dottie) Dillard. We need younger people to work here, but most are married, have children and both work. People who are 65 yrs. old  and retired should volunteer. They should give back to the community.”

38 Star Flag

The Students Arrive

By now, the students had arrived. They were shown into the farm house by their teachers and parents. They sat down on the floor and listened to Betty who explained the history and architecture of the farmstead. Then the students went toward the kitchen building where a 34 star flag was raised and everybody pledged Allegiance. The 34 stars show the 34 states which belonged to the United States during the time of President Lincoln. Betty asks the students about the most important word in the Pledge of Allegiance. They guessed right: “Indivisible!”

Dorothy "Dottie" Dillard

After this, the class of students, which had previously been divided into four groups, went to their assigned buildings. Some entered the kitchen, others the granary and still others went to the barn and the house. In the farm house, Dorothy (Dottie) Dillard explains about the dishes, furnishings and toys of days gone by.

She shows the rope beds to the students and mentions how people tightened the ropes with large wooden cross-like looking keys. That is where the saying: “Sleep tight! Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” originates. She pointed to a chamber pot and asked the children what they thought it was? The children knew. They identified it by its generic name “potty.” Dottie said one of the students a while back called it a soup tureen.

Savannah and Angelica Long

Next, I stopped at the kitchen where Angelica Long and her daughter Savannah discuss kitchen life and survival in the 1800’s. The kitchen was built in 1849.

Angelica talks to the students about preserving food. There were 5 different ways. One was drying, another one smoking, a third one pickling, a different one was keeping vegetables in a root cellar and the 5th way was canning. She tells students about the differences of our modern kitchens and the basic way people used to live. The students are used to utilizing a microwave, whereas, long time ago, cooking took place over an open fire. There are many ways our life differs from that of the 1800’s. If you would like to find out more, please stop by the farmstead.

Ryan Brown Cracking Walnuts

After visiting the kitchen, the students go to the granary where Ryan Brown is washing clothes the old-fashioned way. He has two tubs. One is filled with wash water where he scrubs the laundry by using lye soap on a washboard and than rubbing the garment with the knuckles over it. Following the washing,  he uses the second tub filled with clear water for rinsing the clothes. Next the students wring-out the cloth and hang it to dry or if there isn’t a clothesline handy, spread the material flat on the ground. When the laundry is done, the water is used to bathe the whole family. By the time everybody including the baby had a bath, the water was dirty and cloudy. Hence the saying: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!”

The 1860’s granary is used for storage of food. It is almost like a utility shed. There are interesting things kept in this building. To learn more about the good old days, come and see for yourself.

The Good Old Days

Earl Viets on a "horse and draw"

Last but not least, I visit Earl Viets in the barn.

Earl demonstrates interesting tools of yesteryear like a corn planting tool and a broad axe. He points out the best oak wagon ever built right here in Springfield, Missouri. He explains the workings of  a rabbit trap and tells of the days when he was a boy and caught rabbits with just such a contraption. He and his brothers used to take the rabbits to town and sell them for 10 cents a piece. 10 Cents would buy a large soda and a candy bar.

A Rabbit Trap

Visit the Farmstead and See for Yourself

Earl told me that the farmers used to enclose their pasture with barbwire, but did not have enough money to buy gates. Therefore, they built a sty to climb over the barbed wire so they wouldn’t tear their clothes. Pretty ingenious!

A Sty

Dear Reader, please visit the Gray/Campbell Farmstead. We celebrated the 19th  Annual 1860's Lifestyle Exposition on Sept. 18 and 19 of this year. You might like to view my video about it.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/hiltrudwebber?feature=mhw4#p/u

It should entice you to get a closer look of the farmstead and to volunteer. You might even like to donate money so the busses can continue to bring the 5th graders out for an exceptional learning experience.

If you have any questions, please call Michelle Atkinson at 417.725.4921 or Betty Jane Turner at 417.234.4584.

To make a donation to the Gray/Campbell Farmstead 5th Grade program, mail it to:

• Ann Mobley - Treasurer
• PO Box 127
• Willard, MO 65781