On May 9th, 2006, a reunion of Exeter students who were of school age on or before 1952 was held at the Exeter Public Library. More than 60 people who had been schooled in a one-room schoolhouse attended!

During the reunion, the former students were asked to recollect their experience at school. Their responses were collected and are posted here for viewing. Scroll through the list to see what school was like for those that attended one-room schools!

What chores did you have at school?

...bringing in water, firewood.
...sweep under deck and end of walk.
...none! Too young, I guess.
...haul wood for stove to heat school. Clean chalk boards and erasers.
...carry water from the Dutemple's.
...pass out paper.
...start wood stove.
...helping 1st graders to read.
...helping with whatever was needed.
...organizing the coat room.
...going across the road and into the woods to get drinking water from a brook.

How did you get to school?

...via car or bus. School was seldom called off due to snow!
...walked, but later bussed.
...walked.
...driven by Edith Chase in a private vehicle.
...transported in a private car, paid for by the town.
...walked from home every day.
...walked to Carl Barber's house, who drove us to school.
...small station wagon, later small bread-truck bus driven by Red Anderson.
...bus, sometimes walked up Pine Hill.
...walked up the hill to Exeter Hill, Reuben Brown's Chevrolet car took us to Hall School.

 

What were your favorite recess games?

...tag, red light, fox & geese.
...hopscotch, tag.
...drop the handkerchief.
...kick the can, hide and seek.
...teasing Elizabeth Frazer.
...baseball.
...playing cars, running around!
...sliding down the hill at Exeter Hill.
...marbles, jump rope.
...throwing a ball over the school, playing house.
...doing cartwheels.
...playing keep-away with the boys.
...red rover, red rover.

Tell us about special times you remember.

...Singing at my brother's graduation after Jane Anderson took me to her house to rehearse with her piano.
...the school play at Christmas; Children's Day at Exeter Grange.
...a birthday party when I invited EVERYONE at the school.
...toasting sandwiches on the wood stove in winter.
...recess!
...last day of school - get out early!
...trip to Bunker Hill, Boston in 8th grade.
...a picnic on New Road, where we all walked to see Queen's Fort on Stony Lane.
...learning to knit, crochet and do art when our lessons were completed.
...graduation and holidays.
...when Mrs. Leduc let me take over the reading class while she did something else.
...three of us (3 girls) graduated 8th grade in 1939. The teacher took us out for lunch.

What is your message for the students of today?

...The best way to learn is to repeat, repeat, repeat.
...I wish they could have the experience of a one room schoolhouse.
...respect learning - AND your teacher!
...Children of today have all the modern conveniences, but children from our little one-room school learned, were disciplined if need be, and were taught about hard times and how to get through them.
...learn to read!
...stay in school, happiest days of life. Enjoy!
...study! study! study!
...enjoy the easy times.
...anyone wanting to learn can do so, no matter what type of environment.
...take advantage of everything available to further your education.
...appreciate all the conveniences you have in the modern school.
...always set your goals and don't stop until you have achieved the best you can.
...work hard, use common sense.
...be proud of your lovely new school facility. Pay attention and "the world will be your stage"!