School Stumbles Upon Chalkboards From 1917 During Renovation, Perfectly Preserved Lessons Provide Rare Look Into Past.

School Stumbles Upon Chalkboards From 1917 During Renovation, Perfectly Preserved Lessons Provide Rare Look Into Past.


Classrooms at Emerson High School in Oklahoma City were getting a routine facelift when renovators accidentally uncovered an incredible glimpse into the history of American education.
Construction workers were removing chalkboards– taking them down to replace them with new Smart Boards– when they stumbled upon some older chalkboards underneath. Luckily, they stopped to examine the chalkboards before destroying them, and they quickly realized that the boards were from 1917… Nearly 100 years ago! Stuck underneath layers of other boards, these antique chalkboards had been preserved with the chalk still on them, providing an amazing view of life in a mid-20th-century classroom.
he wheel above, for example, is an outdated method for teaching multiplication. “I have never seen that technique in my life,” Kishore said.
Another common lesson that looks different is the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I give my head, my heart, and my life to my God and One nation indivisible with justice for all.”

It’s unclear why this pledge differs from the early version of the Pledge of Allegiance that was established in 1892, but it clearly borrows some phraseology from that Pledge.

One lesson that is no longer taught in schools today is a lesson on hygiene. One section of the board– pictured below– lists “My Rules To Keep Clean” with tips like “Take my bath often” and “Wash my teeth.”
Principal Kishore showed her 85-year-old mother the board, and the familiar curriculum left her speechless. “She just stood there and cried,” said Kishore. “She said it was exactly like her classroom was when she was going to school.”
Kishore’s mother would have started school in the mid to late 1930’s, over a decade after the boards were drawn, but the rediscovered chalkboards are no doubt more familiar to her than the high-tech chalkboards used today!

Principal Kishore has called this discovery the highlight of her career. She is working with the school district and the city to preserve the boards.

Related Posts

This morning we lost a beloved singer, someone we deeply admired… See more

This morning brought heartbreaking news as the world learned of the passing of a beloved singer, someone whose voice touched countless lives. Fans everywhere are mourning the…

KISS Legend Gene Simmons Hospitalized After Car Crash in Malibu

Driving in Malibu on Tuesday, KISS bassist and lead singer Gene Simmons briefly lost consciousness and crashed into a parked vehicle. Thankfully, according to both himself and…

Cory Booker Emerges Again as a Central Force in New Jersey Politics — and Beyond

Just minutes ago, Senator Cory Booker once again became the center of political discussion in New Jersey, reaffirming his position as one of the state’s most influential…

In New York City,Eric Trump was confirmed as…See more

Thirty minutes ago in Florida, Eric Trump was confirmed as taking a major step that has quickly drawn nationwide attention. As the son of former President Donald…

First waves hit Hawaii after huge earthquake

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Kamchatka, Warnings Issued Across Pacific A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, 2025, sending shockwaves across the Pacific…

We announce the passing

I brought my daughter into the world and took her out of it.” As I held Deborah’s hand during her final moments, a mix of sadness and…

Leave a Reply