One of the favorite philanthropic activities of Assistance League^® of the Bay Area was Hands On History. Fourth and fifth-grade students studying Texas History and reading “Sarah, Plain, and Tall” were allowed to visit the Armand Bayou Nature Center. During the visit, they toured the woodshop, the Farmhouse Kitchen, the spinning wheel, and the garden.

At the woodshop, Assistance League volunteers spoke about the experience growing up on Martyn Farm in the 1800s. They explained the tools on display and demonstrated board and batten construction. In the Farmhouse Kitchen, they discussed preservation techniques such as pie safes, salt, canning, smoking, and brining.

At the spinning wheel, the students learned how clothes were made, where they bought their furniture, and how they managed without electricity at night. The volunteers emphasized the importance of going to bed early to wake up when the sun rose, as it was the primary light source.

Many volunteers wore long aprons that covered their pants, making them temporarily prairie women. The children could travel back in time without electricity, running water, or indoor toilets.

It was an excellent partnership between the nature center and the school districts, which helped bring Texas History to life!