Saugus 7th Graders Visit the Immigrant City

On June 4, 2010 the Lawrence History Center hosted over 115 7th grade students from Saugus! With the help of LHC Board member Lynne Sullivan and LHC volunteer Jonathan Smith, the students toured the entire complex, including the courtyard, the Essex Company vault and the research room. Jonathan explained the functions of the buildings in the courtyard including the blacksmith's shop and the carpenter's shop. Outside, the students examined the horse-drawn fire truck, the blacksmith's tools, a sleigh used by the Essex Company workers and the pushcart used years ago in the Boston farmers market.

In the vault the students marveled at what they saw: original payroll records, land transaction books, water power payment records, and atlases. We played a record on the victrola and explained how an ice box was used. When shown the trunks that immigrants used on their journey to Lawrence, the students wondered, "How can you fit your entire life into one little trunk?".

Upstairs in the research room, Lynne showed the students photographs, city directories, maps, and an original hand-written death registry.

Each student received a Lawrence postcard as a souvenir. After lunch in our courtyard, they headed over to Lawrence Heritage State Park for a tour of the museum and the canal.

We were so impressed by how smart, respectful and well-behaved these students are. They were a pleasure and we hope they come back soon to learn more about Lawrence.