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POOLESVILLE, Md. - Some Montgomery County (web | news) children are watching their history pages come to life as a part of their American history lesson. They're attending the 130-year-old Seneca Schoolhouse. 

At the time, the students were children of local farmers, craftsmen and merchants.  Today it's used as a unique way to teach American history by recreating a day in the life of those schoolchildren in Poolesville, Md., circa 1880.

Rutherford B. Hayes is president. Women still covered their ankles. The school has only one-room, no electricity, and the only heat comes from a small wood-burning furnace.

"It's not as warm because all it's heated by is the fire," observed Joshua Mays, a student.

A hot potato was used to keep hands warm -- until later, when it became dinner. It's part of their lesson in American history: walking in the footsteps of children who grew up in the same neighborhood 130 years ago.

"Some kids are not just readers, some are not just hearers, some really need to do," said Wanda Jones-Yeatman, a home school teacher. "And some need to do all three, and when you're able to take in your learning through all those different gates, then it becomes real, and it becomes yours."

Whether they like it or not, they dress the way children would then.

"I would not be caught dead in this dress," said Chandler Yeatman.

"You don't get to use modern technology," said James Dugan.

There were no computers, not even pencil and paper.

"I'm not used to using slate, but it's cool," said Ali Kraatz. Sierra Hill added, "I think it's funny how it's soapstone, because it's not at all like chalk."

While role-playing is a major part of this back-in-time field trip, their teacher, Miss Prudence Darby, explains the real history lesson is an appreciation for a different way of life.

"And we have this little corner of American life and it's a joy to all come and experience it," said "Darby", who goes by Amanda Westly in the real world. "It is a part of our history, so for us to know that a community existed in a different way."

The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission owns the Seneca Schoolhouse. The non-profit Historic Medley District operates the museum for school field trips.

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