TRAER – The Traer Historical Museum is interested in learning from people in our community about their experiences while attending a country school in Tama County! According to the book Iowa’s Country Schools, edited by William Sherman, there were 172 schools in Tama County in 1880. Six were brick, three were stone, and 163 were framed. The country schools left are being used for farm buildings, homes, garages, storage buildings, and some are sitting vacant. Male teachers in 1880 were paid $31.19/month, while women teachers were paid $25.54/month.

Marilyn Chizek attended Crystal #7, which was located halfway between Traer and Toledo. She only had to walk a quarter mile to school, and she shared that there were very few snow days. Her country school had a basement with a register on the first floor. During the winter they would place their mittens on the register so they would dry. They hung their coats in the basement. One time when her teacher was putting on her coat a mouse ran out from the sleeve! Marilyn also shared how excited the students were when the county superintendent came to visit, as he would always bring new library books for them to read. After Marilyn completed 8th grade she had to pass a test to see if she was prepared for high school in Traer. She felt attending country school taught her well.

Arlene Hulupnik Fleming attended Clark School #3. There was no source of water on the property, so two older students walked about a block to the Leonard Reigle farm and brought water back to the schoolhouse in a water pail with a lid. She remembers everyone drank from the same dipper. Halloween was a busy time for the board of directors of each school. One or two directors had to sit in the schoolyard to keep the outhouses from being tipped over. A fun time was at the end of the school year when a school picnic was held. All the parents came, and every family brought food to share. They usually went to T.F. Clark’s Park.

Both Marilyn and Arlene said they played games at recess, including baseball, Olly Olly Over, Fox and Goose, and Hide and Seek.

The Traer Historical Museum would like to hear from you! If you attended a country school, please contact us at the museum so we can visit with you about your country school experience! Call 319-478-2346, or email traermuseum@gmail.com.

If you didn’t attend country school, please stop in at the museum and visit our country school display! The museum is located at 514 Second Street in downtown Traer.