Discovering hidden treasures can be an unexpected delight! In mid-2015, such a discovery made headlines in an Oklahoma City educational institution. While replacing chalkboards at Emerson High School, the contractors found something remarkable underneath – blackboards dating back to 1917 that still had the writings intact. 

Emerson High School was founded in 1895, but its original building was destroyed by fire in 1911. However, the school was rebuilt in 1917 and resumed operations, showcasing a stunning Collegiate Gothic architectural style.

In the summer of 2015, the school’s first phase of renovations began. However, an unexpected discovery was made during the renovations.

The discovery of the well-preserved slate blackboards from a century ago was astonishing. The legible writings and vibrant drawings on the chalkboards remained untouched and without a smudge. Upon first inspection, the high school principal, Sherry Kishore, expressed that she felt as if she had entered a time capsule displaying various lesson plans, including those for math and music.

One of the blackboards featured a calendar for December, with Thursday the 29th marked in red. The turkey and girl next to it signify the transition from November to December, likely referring to Thanksgiving day.

The hidden boards proved that while some things have remained the same, others have changed drastically. For instance, the multiplication table, drawn clearly on one of the slate boards, is not something we are used to using to learn math. 

Many more chalkboards had varying math lessons, including addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Some of the methods used by the educators of that time have evolved into simpler versions. That board, for example, uses a step method we are not familiar with. 

The discovery of the slate blackboards left everyone involved, including the school district and authorities, in awe. The principal was particularly impressed by the remarkable penmanship of the teachers from that era. Most of the writings were in stunning cursive handwriting, with the letters appearing fluid and artistic.

The recently uncovered chalkboard drawings elicited a chorus of admiration for their stunning vibrancy despite being over 100 years old. Of all the sketches, the one of a girl blowing bubbles became a favorite of many.

Another exciting find was the simpler and more concise version of the Pledge of Allegiance that today’s Americans have grown up reciting. 

Among the things that have stayed the same throughout is the emphasis on hygiene. There were elaborate lessons on the need for basic personal hygiene then as there are now. 

Everyone quickly noticed that detailed illustrations accompanied almost every lesson plan. From parks and trees to pilgrims, all the discussion topics were colorfully depicted in vivid sketches. Why don’t we do that anymore? Were the 20th-century educators more artistically inclined than the present-day teachers? 

A blackboard full of interesting questions and activities had us wondering about the grade it was meant for. It had specific instructions like “Draw six circles and color them.” The fascinating part of the exercise was that the questions got more challenging towards the end, such as asking how many pints were in half a gallon. 

Even though the accidental discovery of the hidden blackboards started as an internal matter for Emerson High School, it soon became Oklahoma City’s priceless treasure that gave an invaluable peek into the educational system during the early 1900s. There were lessons to be learned there. 

Six months after the initial renovation phase uncovered the valuable blackboards at Emerson High School, the school moved forward with upgrades to the rest of the building. To their excitement, they found many more interesting blackboards with detailed lesson plans and vibrant sketches.