08/05/2026
Here’s a look at an incredible day with the Eliza Jane Schoolhouse One-Room School Program at the Spring Valley Laura Ingalls Wilder Site - Spring Valley Historical Society Museum! 📜✨
We’ve had the privilege of being involved with this wonderful program over the years, but yesterday hosted 17 kids! Yes, SEVENTEEN!
Together, we tackled a true frontier leathercraft project. The kids made their own rustic leather wallets using gorgeous hides (because you know I always bring the good stuff!), complete with raw edges, tough faux sinew, and real antler buttons made by Henry. 🪵🧵 This antler was donated by friend Terri Webb for Henry to share.
The kids jumped right in—learning how to saddle stitch, punch holes, and sew on their own buttons. One of the best parts of the day was seeing the older kids master the steps first and then step up to mentor and help the younger ones. It was amazing watching them encourage each other!
It warmed my heart to chat with kids who came back from previous years—they proudly told me they still have and use the leather journals we made last year and love them! Seeing their faces light up with pride over what they made yesterday is why we do this.
We donate 100% of our time and materials to this program because keeping these hands-on historical skills alive for the next generation means the world to us. It might be organized chaos, but it’s wrapped in an unbelievable learning experience, and we are deeply grateful to the museum for inviting us back year after year!
❤️ Want to support this magic? Please consider making a donation to the Spring Valley Historical Society Museum and directing your dollars specifically to the One-Room Schoolhouse / Eliza Jane Schoolhouse experience. Every bit helps keep hands-on history alive for these kids!
THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED WITH THIS PROGRAM. 🥰
