Museum exhibit features 75 years of learning at Kalispell’s Central School
A poster that adorned a Central School classroom in the 1930s is part of an exhibit at the Northwest Montana History Museum.
Rekindle memories of school days of yore, or explore what it was like for kids years ago, at a new temporary exhibit, Timeless Lessons at Central School 1894-1969, opening at the Northwest Montana History Museum on April 12.
The exhibit celebrates 75 years of formal instruction at Kalispell’s Central School — now home to the museum — and features an array of classroom items that represent various periods throughout those years. The exhibit is through December 2024.
The classroom exhibit includes a teacher’s desk with a 1925 report card and a confiscated slingshot, a poster that adorned a Central School classroom in the 1930s, an 1897 ledger of school attendance and grades written in beautiful penmanship, a chalkboard eraser, 1937 poster artwork to supplement lesson assignments, vintage games played during indoor and outdoor recesses, a 46-star United States flag, and a 1950s microphone used by school choirs. In addition, the exhibit is enhanced by a display of vintage clothing worn by a teacher and students.
A hands-on area for children completes the exhibit. Among the activities are practicing cursive writing, viewing replicas of turn-of-the-century 3D travel cards using a stereoscope and learning about different cultures through paper dolls.
The exhibit opens with free admission and refreshments 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 12.
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The Northwest Montana History Museum is located at 124 Second Ave. E. in Kalispell. For more information call 406-756-8381 or visit nwmthistory.org