WES Fourth Grade Historical Walking Field Trip
Mrs. Hallowell’s fourth-grade students explored a few historical landmarks
of Wiscasset as they embarked on a walking field trip. On Tuesday,
December 12, the students used historical maps of Wiscasset to walk the
same roads Lea Wait wrote about in her historical fiction novel, “Stopping
to Home.” The book was set in 1806, during a smallpox outbreak. The
students first walked to Water Street, where the story began. Then they
walked up Main Street to see the village green, where Muster Day took
place. The next stop was Union Street where the main character found a
home in a grand old house.
Once the students crossed Federal Street, they explored the Ancient
Cemetery. The Ancient Cemetery provided a chance to do quick math as
they learned how long people lived in the 1800’s. They were surprised to
find the gravestones of so many young people. Many of the aging
gravestones were difficult to read and one student suggested an interesting
job would be cleaning and restoring them.
The most exciting part of the walking tour was a visit to the Nickels-
Sortwell House, led by Merry McDonnell. In the book, Stopping to Home,
Widow Chase meets wealthy women who ordered hats from her in this
house. In real life, Captain Nickels spared no expense in building his home.
The students marveled at the fact logs in the fireplace had to be cut the
same size and one person’s full time job was keeping the fires burning.
The whole class was enthralled by the stories of the Nickels-Sortwell house
and came back to school ready to fill journals with all they learned.
Wiscasset is a town rich in history and the class is grateful to Merry
McDonnell for the fascinating stories and tour.
Photo credit to Becky Hallowell
1) Giemella Absalud examines a gravestone
2) Emery Footer consults the historic map
3) Merry McDonnell tells tales of the Nickels Sortwell house to the fourth
grade students
