By appointment only.
Call Doris Viera at 530-885-2797
for scheduling of individual or group tours.
"He would start on a Tuesday and go the rounds. Some of the mountain areas he couldn't get to with a horse and buggy, so he went on a donkey", recalled Carolyn Dow of her father, P. W. Smith, who served terms as Placer County Superintendent of Schools from 1890 through 1910.
You can step back into the past when you visit the Benton Welty Historical Classroom on the second floor of the Auburn Civic Center, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, which was developed by the Auburn Union Retired Teachers, Placer County Historical Museum Foundation and the Placer County Historical Society.
The Civic Center/Auburn City Hall was once the main building of the Auburn Union Elementary School and the Benton Welty Room was an upper grade classroom.
The special display honoring Mr. Benton Welty, Principal of the Auburn Union Grammar School for 20 years will be brought to life by your docent who relates interesting tales about Mr. Welty and his "megaphone" and the days at Auburn Union when the teacher was never wrong.
As you enter the room, you are greeted by a "School Marm" mannequin, standing by her desk looking out at the fifteen student desks which were used some seventy-five years ago. Old text books and slates are on each desk. Around the room you will discover pictures of classes from 1890 through 1940. Many former students find their names and photos here. Examples of student school work and activities, California and North American Indian Artifacts, student's desk equipment and early textbooks and art work by students of Madge Harding Ward, who taught art for many years in this room are on display. An old library table is covered with textbooks of 1930's & ‘40's. A replica of an attorney's book case holds sets of early Encyclopedias. Some displays may change with the receipt of donated artifacts.
Under the three decker windows, with the typical green, pull down shades, are two benches made from a Red Oak tree, which grew on the street side of the school in the late ‘30's. Also, near the benches is a special school bell display with a picture of the Columbia School ( formerly in the vicinity of Bell Road) which was in use from 1883 to 1946.
In the lobby you will notice the first bell that was used at this school to call the children to class.
Students and Adults alike will gain a sense of "the good old days" on the: Early Day Classroom Tour
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The 2nd annual Heritage Trail will be held on August 8 & 9, 2009. Once again 18 participating museums from Roseville to Tahoe are committed to showcasing history in a fun, entertaining way. All the museums will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 on both days and admittance is FREE. The theme this year is "A-Tisket A-Tasket". Bring your picnic basket. We encourage Trail Travelers to bring a picnic and eat at one of the museums designated for picnics.
The tour promises to be a family-friendly event with many hands-on activities for all ages. Visitors can bake biscuits in an 1890's wood stove, jump to the finish line in an old fashioned sack race, explore the wonders of a granite quarry, view the world from a 19th century stage coach, pan for illusive flakes of gold, and listen to Native American stories. Trail Guides will be available at every museum in July.
For further information call 530-889-6500.
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