Window on the Plains Museum opened its doors for students from three elementary schools and treated them to a Night at the Museum last week. The special event was a reward for students reaching specified reading goals.
Students were led through the dark museum by teachers. As each teacher flashed a light on a display, characters came to life. Exhibits that “came to life” in the main building were a World War II soldier with his machine gun, a German soldier, cowboys at a campfire calming their cattle with violin music, A. L. Anderson at his blacksmith shop, a rancher and his wife, postman in the post office, general store clerk and customer, a bank robber and a group singing in a camp meeting.
In the Ag/Ind room, David Swinford was in his office, an operator was at her switchboard, and a Valero worker talked about his industry.
In the Family Life Room, a man and woman were in the entertainment area, a mother was at her sewing machine making clothes for her children, a barber was giving haircuts and Dr. Cushman was preparing medicine for a patient.
The barn came to life with firemen at the 1951 engine, a farmer in the 1960’s combine, farmers working on a tractor, another farmer on an unusual track tractor, a repairman working on a windmill, a man hooking a horse to a buggy, a service station operator and a chuck wagon cook.
As students waited their turn to make the tour, they listened to historical stories and sang songs in The Art Center classroom, led by Joan and Marcus Criswell.
The three nights of “Night at the Museum” involved 29 teachers and 133 volunteers and 230 third and fourth grade students from Sunset, Morningside and Green Acres schools.
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