FOR EDUCATORS
The Morrow Family was not a "famous" family. . .they were just a "typical" early Oklahoma family, just like many of your families. We weren't astronauts, we didn't have a President (except President Buchanan), in our history and we didn't invent anything. . . we were just a family that worked hard everyday, had a strong faith that carried us through the hard times, and allowed us to celebrate the good times. We loved each other, our community and our country. We respected and took responsibility for ourselves and for each other, and carried that respect and responsibility for others into our community. My grandmother used to say, "Many hands make light the work" which means we all work together to make a better place for all.
It is important for our youth to learn where they come from and to educate them about our community's history. Although all content on this website is copyrighted, feel free to download any of the resources for student application.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
In this exercise, students can fill in information about their parents and grandparents in order to learn more about past generations. This is just a beginning. Ask questions about each person. Maybe the color of his/her eyes? Did he have a beard? What is just one funny story you remember? I've included an an easy-to-use family tree. So, get started! Find out about YOUR family! Have fun!
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A FAMILY INTERVIEW SHEET
This is a good activity for a long car ride, following a family dinner, Thanksgiving afternoon. . . any time multi-generations have gathered and have a few minutes to relax and reminisce.
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PEAR TREES HELPED SETTLERS SURVIVE
Did you know that pear trees were a significant part of providing the new settlers in Oklahoma fresh fruit? Research provided by Oklahoma State University gives a few early insights. Read about the pears below and make some pear preserves or pear honey! Great for Sunday morning toast. . . or with a nice cup of tea on a cold afternoon! Dice the pears and toss in a little brown sugar or mix in with a batch of fresh greens. See what a dip of nice cold vanilla ice cream will do when it melts over a warm fresh-baked pear cobbler. If you would like to try some of the original pear preserves, pear honey or pear cobbler recipes.
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MY OWN MONEY!
Have you ever wanted to make your "own" money? Money that you earned and you can spend on anything that you want? Kathleen did too. Read about how she earned her "own" money on the farm. Ask your mom and dad or your grandmother or grandfather what types of chores you might be able to around your home and go to work! Always complete your chores to the best of your ability because when you do your chores with pride, you will be rewarded. If you want to read Kathleen's story, CLICK HERE
LIKE GARDENING?
Gardens were an important part of early Oklahoma farm life. Family gardens provided most of the food for early settlers' families. Gardening was usually the work of the women of the household because the men worked in the fields and with the cattle. The Morrow Home Place has what was called "a lady's garden" located on the west side of the home, just outside the kitchen door. Many of these farmhouse or family gardens were approximately 75 ft x 150 ft or 100 ft x 200 ft and were given the name of the "lady's garden" because that was about the size a "lady" could be expected to plant and maintain while she managed the home, completed household chores and cared for the children. CLICK HERE to find more information about pioneer gardening. Note the size of the garden to the west of the Home Place. I think it would keep you quite busy!
During WWII the government launched a campaign for families to grow their own food so that much of the food produced across the nation could be shipped overseas to feed our soldiers. Families across the nation, even in the cities, were encouraged to plant a "victory garden". Any surplus was gathered in food drives to supply the war effort. For more information about Victory Gardens.
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PLANTING BY THE SIGNS
Old timers swore that planting by the signs of the moon gave their crops a particularly good start and yielded an extra bounty. To find out more about planting by the signs of the moon.
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DOES YOUR FAMILY HAVE ANY GOOD CIVIL WAR STORIES?
Our aunt, Emma Hodges, nicknamed "Tinker", was a young girl when the Civil War came to the Prairie Grove area of Northeastern Arkansas. She remembered very vividly the sights and sounds of the battles that took place around her home. She heard the officers in the front room as they poured over the maps planning a strategy for the upcoming Battle of Pea Ridge and the Battle of Cane Hill. Both battles were fought near Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Read Emma's story and then take a drive to Prairie Grove.
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You can tour the Morow House where Emma lived as a little girl. CLICK HERE for a link the to Battle of Prairie Grove National Historic site. The Annual Labor Day Celebration is a nice day trip from NE Oklahoma. CLICK HERE for more information