March 2008
While in the Sarasota, Florida area in March, one of the places we visited was the Crowley Museum. I must admit that the $7.00 admission per person a little steep for what the museum had to offer, but there were some interesting items. One of my favorite items was a list of the rules for teachers from 1915. Although these were the rules for the school system located around 15 miles southeast of Sarasota, I imagine that similar rules were in place in Grand Marais. If these rules were in effect today, do you think there would be any takers for the job?
1915 Rules for Teachers
- You will not marry during the term of your contract.
- You are not to keep company with men.
- You must be home between the hours of 8pm and 6am unless attending a school function.
- You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
- You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
- You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or your brother.
- You may not smoke cigarettes.
- You may not dress in bright colors.
- You may under no circumstances dye your hair.
- You must wear at least two petticoats.
- Your dress must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle.
- To keep the schoolroom neat and clean, you must: sweep the floor at least once daily; scrub the floor at least once a week with hot soapy water; clean the blackboards at least once a day; and start the fire at 7am so the room will be warm by 8am.
The photo below is from the class in this Crowley school in 1915.
Also at the museum, was a carved dancing puppet. Below is a picture. It reminds me of some of the dancing puppets that the museum founder, Axel, carved.
