Bremer County Historical Society

School Room

Entire books have been written about the unique dynamics that were at play in the one-room school houses that were an institution in rural areas as recently as the 1950s.  Imagine a young teacher--usually a woman--trying to teach as many as 20 students, all at varying stages of their education and physical development, all in one undivided room.  And, as if that scenario weren't daunting enough, sometimes there was little age difference between the teacher and her oldest students!  And yet, despite all the challenges, an amazing amount of learning took place in those buildings.  And the learning continues today as the visitor is transported back in time to those almost forgotten days in the one-room school houses, and the teachers who somehow made it all work.