Our class had a fantastic day exploring the past at the Ulster American Folk Park. We visited old homes from long ago, seeing real thatched roofs, stone buildings, and smoky rooms where dinners were once cooked over an open fire. The children were fascinated to learn that families often had to share beds, and that there were no bathrooms in the houses! Many of the homes smelled strongly of turf, adding to the authentic experience.
We even got to taste traditional pancakes and soda bread, freshly made just as they would have been in the past. Another highlight was visiting the old schoolhouse, where we met the schoolmaster. He was very kind and explained that, many years ago, children could be caned if they misbehaved — something that surprised the whole class!
One of the most exciting parts of the trip was stepping aboard the old ship to America. When we arrived “in America,” we met shopkeepers and homeowners who told us all about the differences between life in Ireland and America during that time.
It was a wonderful day of using all our senses — seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and even tasting history. The trip helped us understand what life was like for people in the past, and it’s a day we won’t forget!
