View the itinerary here.

Cutler School 
Hamilton, Massachusetts 
September 20, 1999 

Today Miss Columbia 1900 and I arrived at Cutler School in Hamilton, Massachusetts in a horse drawn carriage. We were escorted by Miss Horton, the original owner of Miss Columbia 1900! Riding in a carrige with Miss Columbia was like traveling back in time!! All of the students had lined the driveway waving flags to welcome us. We were honored with an assembly about all the things that were happening in the era of Miss columbia 1900. Later, we were both displayed along with photos of Hamilton and Wenham 100 years ago. Things look pretty different today. Finally they said goodbye and wished me luck on my long journey ahead. I have a wonderful Cutler sweat shirt to remind me of my first stop on my trip.

Buker School
Wenham, Massachusetts
Friday, September 24, 1999

I just came back from Buker the new elementary school and it was fascinating! Almost 230 students were dressed in red, white, and blue, even the teachers! They were all crammed into their new gym room, looking at me and my friend Miss Columbia 1900. They really like my red polar fleace, my blue jeans, my cool black shoes, and my back-pack full of all the stuff I need for my trip. They talked about all these things that were made when Miss Columbia 1900 was sent around the world like the teddy bear, boy scouts and when Mr. Hershey changed the taste of his chocolate bar. The kids and teachers are thinking if they should give me something to go around the world with and what it should be. I’m now on my way to Winthrop. I hope it is as good as Buker was.

Miss Columbia 2000

Winthrop School
Hamilton, Massachusetts
October 1, 1999

Wow! So many children, large and small, are wearing clothes from 1900. The boys are wearing knickers and hats. The girls are wearing long beautiful dresses. All are wearing red, white, and blue sashes. The principal is talking about my visit. She is reading entries from my 1900 journal. A group of small children sang a song to welcome me. Now a music teacher is playing the “Maple Leaf Rag,” a popular music piece from 1900 by Scott Joplin. During my three day stay, I hope to learn what life at Winthrop School is like. I wonder how school life will differ from 1900? The children are learning about life in 1900 using me. They will learn about school life in 1900 and what music was popular. The town here is beautiful with many horses. I don’t know where I will go next. I don’t want to leave this place!

Beverly School for the Deaf
Beverly, Massachusetts
October 4, 1999

Dear Diary,
I arrived at Beverly School for the Deaf (BSD) today. I will visit this school until October 8. All the kids met me at the front door. I saw them sign the world “welcome.” I stayed in the library for the week. All the kids were happy to come visit me there. I learned sign language to communicate with everyone. I like BSD.

Miss Columbia

Abraham Edwards Elementary School
Beverly, Massachusetts
October 15, 1999

Dear Diary,
We have enjoyed our stay at the Abraham Edwards Elementary School in Beverly, Massachusetts. It is a brick, two-story building built in 1905. There are 247 students that go to this school. When we arrived, Mrs. Horton was there to greet us again! There was a kick-off assembly in the cafeteria. All of the students and teachers were there. What fun the students had learning about the inventions and creations from the early 1900’s. We were kept outside the main office on a table. Many students stopped by to check us out. They loved looking in Miss Columbia 2000’s back pack. Mrs. Putur’s kindergarten class took us downstairs into her classroom. The children had each brought in their own special doll. They did a lot of comparing and graphing. They even found our map in my coat! Mrs. Putur read all the best wishes written in my coat! They even checked out our underga4rments and counted how many different layers we wear! We had a lot of fun and even had our picture taken and published in 2 local newspapers. The children and staff at the Edwards School were very nice! What a great time we had!

Miss Columbia

Kelley School
Newburyport, Massachusetts
November 5, 1999

The long journey that I have before me begins today from this charming and beautiful city in Northeast Massachusetts called Newburyport. It s located at the point where the Merrimac River finds it way to the sea. I am intrigued by the rich and changing history of this famous seaport. I was told that originally Newburyport was a part of the Town of Newbury, which was founded in 1635. However, because the residents who lived in present Newburyport were more interested in shipbuilding and trading than in farming, Newburyport split from the Town of Newbury. This occurred in 1764. I have noticed the great mansions on High Street and learned that they were build by the wealthy merchants and ship captains of that era. I also learned that the great shipping industry collapsed in the early 1800’s and that Newburyport became a center for silver and shoe manufacturing, and when, by the mid-1900’s, those industries declined, Newburyport found a new enterprise – thriving tourist industry. My visit here has been most enjoyable,, and I can see why people who live here tell me how charming a place it is. I have been warmly welcomed by my hosts, the students and teachers of historic Kelley School, and will be forever grateful for their spirited send-off, as I embark on my world travels.

Miss Columbia

Donald P. Timony Grammar School 
Methuen, Massachusetts
November 12, 1999

Dear Diary,
Mrs. Horton brought us to the Donald P. Timony Grammar School in Methuen, Massachusetts last Friday, November 5. Mrs. Horton took us into the story room in the Media Center to meet the first graders in Miss Gross’s class. It was very interesting to listen to Mrs. Horton tell the children about us and to graciously answer their questions. We went with the children to Room 109 which would be our home for the week. Many other classes came to visit us and to read about our travels. The first graders learned a lot about maps and globes during our visit. We leaned new things also. We learned that the Timony School is only 48 days old! It opened on September 2, 1999. Children from four different schools came together at the Timony. There are 1,317 children from pre-school to Grade 8 in this very large building. There are 150 teachers, administrators, specialists, and other adults working in this school. We enjoyed our stay at the Timony and the children enjoyed having us. They especially like my backpack and the bloomers Miss Columbia 1900 is wearing. I have invited them to visit us when we return to the Wenham Museum. Thank you, first graders, for a wonderful visit!

Miss Columbia

P.S. Thank you, Ms. Ingrassis, for my warm, cuddly, Polar Tek blanket. I learned it was made in Methuen.

Welch School
Peabody, Massachusetts
November 12, 1999

I arrived at the Welch School in Peabody and went straight to Room 3, Mrs. McCarthy’s class. The children were eagerly awaiting my visit. They had listened to excerpts from my diary in 1900 and had traced my original journey on maps and the globe with Ms. Vocino’s help. I noticed they each had their own Miss Columbia book of activities. It included History Mystery! and a secret message written in Morse code. Then the real fun began. Each class in the school came to see me and heard a wonderful presentation by the children. They lifted me up, found the map in my coat pocket, and the messages written inside my coat. I had wonderful stories written about me in the newspaper and my picture taken with the children and the superintendent. The children, Mrs. Heller, and Mrs. McCarthy wrote a song about Miss Columbia to the tune of “It’s a Small World After All.” They sang the song in front of the parents who came to see their play. They wrote reports and special paper dolls of children wearing their native costumes from around the world. The children learned to say the word “LOVE” in many different languages. They were able to incorporate geography, world cultures, and languages during my week long visit. During my stay in Peabody I learned that the area had once been part of Salem and later South Danvers. Peabody had once been home to glassworks, potteries, woolen mills, glue works and in the early 1900’s was the largest producer of leather in the world. As I prepared to leave, the children presented me with a 25th anniversary paperweight of the Welch School. I will treasure the memories of my stay here.

Miss Columbia

Tower School
Marblehead, Massachusetts
December 3, 1999

Dear Journal,
Out of all my weeks on my trip around the world, this will certainly be one of the ones I will remember. I arrived here at Tower School on Monday morning, though my arrival had been planned for weeks before. When I arrived, after a beautiful drive through the town of Marblehead, I was greeted by some teachers and was put on display outside of the library. What a wonderful little school this is! It was originally in Salem and was built in 1912. It goes through grades pre-K to 6. I am sure that this is one of the most charming schools I have ever visited! I am told that the fourth graders tracked my 1900 journey and read my journal from that trip too last week. On Monday morning, I traveled up to the 4th grade, the class that was hosting me, and they looked at me and my display board that shares information about my 1900 and 2000 trip. They also looked in my knapsack and discovered my sunglasses, dictionary, notebook, and atlas. They looked at the replica of me in 1900 and the coat I wore. They found some interesting things on them! They found a map in my replica’s pocket, and the discovered the signatures under my coat! On Tuesday morning, back in the fourth grad, I had a little surprise! I was greeted by some of the students’ dolls. Was I overjoyed! It was almost as good as when Uncle Sam accompanied me on my 1900 trip on the West Coast. They also made me some paper dolls to go back to Wenham. In their history class, they tried the history mystery and the Morse code and number codes to see some of the places I was during my 1900 journey. On Thursday morning at the Middle School assembly, the fourth graders shared me with the fifth and sixth graders. I had so much fun with them! On Friday morning, I was again shared at a question and answer session with the Lower School. That was again fun. It was exciting too, because a reporter came from the Marblehead reporter, as did a woman from the North Shore Cable Network! I am very sad to be leaving this dear school, but I am excited to get on with the rest of my journey. As Friday drew to a close, the fourth graders presented me with a lovely gift of a Tower School tree ornament. It was splendid and I hope it will get displayed with the rest of my treasures when I get back to Wenham. I have had a lovely stay here but now I must move on.

Saltonstall School 
Salem, Massachusetts
6 de diciembre de 1999

Que sorpresa tan bella la que me tenian en la Escuela Saltonstall! El lunes, 6 de diciembre, llegue a la escuela en el trolley. Todos los estudiantes y maestras me esperaron afuera. Ellos tenian banderas de los Estados Unidos en sus manos y con gran alegria las movian en senal de bienvenida. Mi corazon parecia no caber en mi pecho! Estaba tan emocionada! No sabia que hacer o decir cuando oi las dulces voces de todos cantando la cancion de la escuela, llamada “Saltonstall Pride.” Despues, sequi hacia el auditorio donde toda las escuela me tenia un gran agasajo de Salem, el Sr. Usovicz, me dieran su bienvenida. Luego, me senti aun mas emocionada cuando el grupo de tambores y banderas hicieron su presentacion. Como si esto fuera poco, luego, el grupo de porristas me hizo sentir mas especial cuando ellos me dedicaron su programa! Enseguida, un grupo de estudiantes dirigidos por la Sra. Alayne Fix hizo una presentacion unica sobre algunos de los adelantos e invenciones de este siglo que termina. Que experiencia mas linda e interesante! Pude observar por las expresiones de muchos de los espectadores, que ellos estaban sorprendidos de saber que por ejemplo el primer cono para helado y los primeros dulces comerciales de los Estados Unidos tuvieron su origen en Salem. Finalmente, una vez terminada la asamblea de bienvenida, la Sra. Horton me dirigio a la biblioteca de la escuela. Alli permaneci por una semana donde tuve la oportunidad de charlar con muchos estudiantes. Comparti algunas de mis experiencas de mis viajes, y les conteste con gusto muchas de sus curiosas e interesantes preguntas. Que experiencia tan extraordinaria! Como la Escuela Saltonstall se conoce como la escuela de tecnologia y matematicas, decidi aprovechar del salon de computadoras para escribir en mi diaro! (por las clase de 2 y 3 bilinque de la Sra. Elsa Mendez-Khawja)

(translation of Spanish entry – Saltonstall School) 
December 6, 1999

What a beautiful surprise the Saltonstall School had for me! On Monday, December 6, I arrived at the school in a trolley. All students and teachers were waiting for me outside the school. They were waving small flags of the United States as they welcome. I felt as if my heart did not fit in my chest! I was so excited! I did not know what to do or say when I heard their sweet voices singing their “Saltonstall Pride” song. Then, I went to the Auditorium where the school had a welcoming program for me. There, the school Principal, Mr. Robinson, and Salem Mayor, Mr. Usovicz, delivered welcoming speeches for me. Later, I felt more excited when the Drum and Flag team had its presentation. Then, as if that was not enough, the Pep Squad mad me feel so special with the cheers they had for me! Following, a group of students directed by Mrs. Alayne Fix put on a unique presentation about some of the advances and inventions of this century. What a beautiful and interesting experience! I was able to tell from my observations of people’s faces, that some of them were surprised to learn that the first ice cream cone and the first commercial candy in the U.S.A. had their origins in Salem. Finally, once the assembly finished, Mrs. Horton led me to the school IMC. I stayed there for a week where I had the opportunity to talk with many students. I shared some of my travel experiences, and with pleasure I answered many of their curious and interesting questions. What an extraordinary experience! Since Saltonstall is known as the Math and Technology school, I decided to take advantage of their computer lab to write my journal entry!

Well, I was sad to leave the Saltonstall School in Salem. What a GREAT school and a GREAT bunch of kids. I learned how to sing their “Saltonstall Pride” song. Before I left, I got to take a trolley tour and visit some important places in this Historic city. First, I went to the Peabody Essex Museum. What a fantastic place! I really enjoyed all the Native American things. I saw a lot of their old fashion tools. I liked the weird masks they used. Perhaps my distant relative, Miss Columbia from 1900, saw some of these same tools on her trip around the world one hundred years ago. There were so many great exhibits to see. I’ll have to try to get back here sometime! Next, I went to a place called the Willows. It was a beautiful park with lots of willow trees and a pretty view of the beach. I got a ride on the Merry-Go-Round and play Mini Golf. What fun! An ice cream at Hobbs’ famous stand topped off our visit. I was getting tired so we stopped at the Salem Common for a rest. It’s a lovely grassy area with a band stand in the middle. A rock band was playing songs. Off I went for a ride through Pickering Wharf, and a visit to the Friendship Boat. We had lunch at Victoria Station which was right on the water. (Clam chowder – Yummy!) After lunch, the trolley took me on a ride through Forest River Park. I saw some kids skate boarding and some others sliding down the big rock slide. I got to walk on the beach and look for shells, crabs and clams. The trolley brought me to the Hawthorne Hotel to spend my last night in Salem. I walked to the $1.50 Bargain Movie Theater and saw “The Pokemon” movie. It was GREAT! I strolled the mall in the middle of the city and shopped in a few stores. I enjoyed every bit of my visit in Salem. The kids, the people and the City are just wonderful.

Miss Columbia 2000

P.S. I just got a new IMAC computer so I decided to try my Journal entry on it.

Penn Brook School
Georgetown, Massachusetts
Friday December 17, 1999

Dear Diary,
On Friday, December 10, Miss Columbia 1900 and I arrived in a small rural town named Georgetown. When we got to the Penn Brook Elementary School, we had a welcoming surprise with kids from each grade level who made posters for us. Their theme this year is “Penn Brook, A Caring Community”. It really is. On Monday there was a welcoming assembly. The kids wore red, white and blue. Ms. Stinson, the principal, told us about Miss Columbia 1900’s journey and that mad me so excited to think that we will also be going around the world. Mrs. Starr Anderson told us all about life in Georgetown long ago. She wore an old fashioned bonnet and petticoat. Then I went to all of the 22 classrooms – one day in each grade. Penn Brook has grades two through five. The kids loved finding out what was in my back pack and in my friend’s secret coat pocket. I am about to enter Ms. Walsh’s third grade class. Oh boy, they are having potato latkes and jelly donuts to celebrate Hanukkah. During the week, I had lots of other goodies to celebrate Christmas around the world. What a delicious visit. During my stay, I learned a lot about Georgetown. I learned that it used to be New Rowley. Also that it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. At the Brocklebank Museum, I saw the haunted meal chest and a secret place to hide slaves. I saw the Erie 4 fire station. It was the first volunteer fire station in the United States. I also saw Old Nancy, a cannon in the square. After our historical visits, I had fun playing in the American Legion park and having lunch at Mrs. Bea’s. On Saturday, I went to a basketball game to see the Georgetown Bulls, win. It was awesome. I had ice cream at Tina’s. On my last day, I went to the Penn Brook Cafe where kids had pizza and tablecloths. Mr. Chute, a fifth grade teacher sang and played guitar. The bell ringers performed Christmas carols. The stage was covered with beautiful paper dolls that the children had made and their own real dolls. I loved my gift, a toy fire truck and the book about the Erie Four. I will always remember the Penn Brook School and I hope that Miss Columbia 2100 will have a chance to visit too. Entry compiled from many kids’ writing Signed, David LaFlamme –

writer Miss Columbia 2000

Shore Country Day School 
Beverly, Massachusetts
January 14, 2000

What an exciting week! I arrived in Beverly, Massachusetts, the home of Shore Country Day School, on Monday, January 10, 2000. At Morning Meeting in the Lower School, I was introduced to over two hundred sixty students in grades Readiness through Five. After a weather report from the third graders – it is unseasonably mild! – we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then I was off through the bustling hallways. I was welcomed into the fourth grade by the students and their teachers, Mrs. Fritz, Mr. Temple, and Ms. Hayes. The fourth graders are my official hosts this week. My day was nonstop. I watched the third graders make clay beavers (Shore’s mascot) in art class. I sang with the first graders in music class, and learned about some of the instruments the children use to accompany their songs. I love to sing, so I really enjoyed that class. Then the first graders whisked me off to physical education class, where we played floor hockey with hockey sticks and pucks. The children were kind and patiently explained the rules to me. When asked if I’d like to be the goalie, I jumped at the chance! After lunch, I joined the kindergartners. Their classroom didn’t look like any other classroom I’ve ever seen. Everything was dark, and there were stars in the sky! The children are studying the night sky this month. We learned about nocturnal animals and made houses for them. Lower school students finish their day at 2:30 except for fifth graders, who stay until 4:00. Students in Shore’s Upper School are in grades six through nine and also have school until 4:00. I wasn’t ready to take a break yet, so at 2:35 I boarded a school bus and joined the Upper School’s squash team for their practice at the Beverly YMCA. I was the only girl in the group, but that didn’t bother me a bit! During practice I learned a shot called a boast, and Mr. Temple also taught me to referee. After Morning Meeting on Tuesday morning, I joined a group of second graders for a reading group. I love to read, so I cozied up close to Mrs. Bates. We read about some inventors. My favorite is Jon Ernst Matzeliger, who invented a machine to last shoes, which means you attach the top part to the innersole. This man was born in South America and eventually ended up in Lynn, Massachusetts. We also talked about the United Shoe Machine factory in Beverly. The owner of this huge factory, Samuel Winslow, actually lived in one of Shore’s buildings, now called the Winslow Building. It looks like a humongous white mansion. Mr. Winslow’s family sold the home in 1938, and it has been used as a school for sixty-two years now! Three fourth grade girls brought me along to an advanced math class with Mrs. Lowery in the Math Lab. Fourth and fifth grade girls practiced solving different kinds of problems to prepare for the national math contests they participate in every month. Logic problems were my favorites! Later in the day I attended an art history lesson with the third graders. Before I knew it, it was 2:30 and time to go ice skating with the fifth graders. I always knew I could do a good job of skating forward, but today I learned to skate backwards and to skate a figure eight! I only fell four times, which was a personal best. I was so tired from skating that I slept right through Morning Meeting on Wednesday! Luckily, some helpful students came to wake me up in time for my visit to the fifth grade. They told me they were very honored and excited by my visit. I was there for a brief study of etymology – including my name, Columbia. The group had fun generating their own ideas about the origins of and stories behind the following words: candy, chocolate, jeans, escape, library, and strawberry. We then used dictionaries to test our theories and learn the true background of these fascinating words! The fifth graders told me that it was fun for them to hear some entries from Miss Columbia’s 1900’s diary because they will soon be writing diary entries as pioneers crossing the continent in the 1840’s. I was able to attend drama and art classes with the fifth graders. Drama class was spent learning the language of the theater. In art, I enjoyed watching the students work on their clay reproductions of state birds – one item that goes onto their state floats for a big parade on February 1! I’m sorry I won’t be here for that special event. After lunch I joined Mrs. Barbato, the Head of the Lower School, in her office for a tea party with a few fifth graders. It is called Tea with Mrs. B., and I’ve heard that all of the children look forward to receiving their invitations. In addition to having tea or hot chocolate and delicious cookies, the children have a chance to talk with Mrs. Barbato and share their school experiences with her. I joined Mrs. Fritz’s class again for a social studies lesson. The kids are making flags of the European countries they have chosen to research. Mrs. Fritz read to us from the second Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, while the class worked on their colorful flags. Soon Mr. O’Brien came to pick up our class for physical education. Gymnastics is lots of fun! There was never a dull moment during this class! After the Lower School dismissal, Mrs. Stokes brought me to the rehearsal for the play Carousel! It’s a Rogers and Hammerstein musical that was voted the best musical of the century by Time Magazine. Every year the Upper School drama group performs a full-length Broadway play for Shore students, their families, and friends. I felt shy at first when given the opportunity to sing a solo, but I was happy to join in during “June is Bursting Out All Over!” The stage seemed so big and I felt so small, but my welcome was so warm that I soon felt at ease. I even helped paint some sets for the production and managed to keep my jeans clean! On Thursday, Mrs. Beaulieu carried me to her science classroom through the first snow of the winter season. It was long overdue. In this part of the world, it usually snows in November and December. The children were excited, but some of the parents said it was a slipping drive to school. I visited a fourth grade science class where the students were making cloud viewers. These will help them to identify the types of clouds and what kind of weather clouds predict. Yesterday the class saw some stratocumulus clouds, and today a snowstorm! It snowed so hard during our class that it was hard to see the buildings next door. The ground was completely covered in just one hour. I snowed 4 cm in ten minutes! An Upper School student escorted me to several of her classes. First I participated in science, where we watched a video called Antarctica. All of the snow falling outside reminds me of Antartica! My next stop was an Honors English class. They were doing a unit on poetry. Not only do they read the works of famous poets, but they even write their own poetry. Then it was time for an Honors Math class. The students were taking a test on quadratic equations and functions. Was I glad I didn’t have to take that test. Latin class followed, and I had no idea what anyone was saying. It sounded really funny to me. Lunch time arrived, and I chose sirloin tips and a variety of raw vegetables from the salad bar. Apple juice was served in addition to milk; this pleased me. The second graders in Mrs. Garvey’s class couldn’t wait until I joined them after recess. They are practicing for a presentation they will give for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Forum Dinner in honor of Nelson Mandela, and they wanted me to be their audience at their dress rehearsal today. This special event will take place at Shore on Sunday evening, January 16. The children invited me to come, but I had to say no. By then I’ll be on my way to another school. I’ll travel by United Parcel Service while I’m still in the United States. Later I helped the second graders put the finishing touches on their giant diorama of Plimoth Plantation. I had such a wonderful visit with my friends at Shore Country Day School in Beverly, Massachusetts. On this, my last day, my fourth grade hosts and friends accompanied me on a campus tour. Mrs. Carey, the Director of Admissions showed me all of the buildings, and the tour ended in the famous Winslow Building. I think my favorite place at Shore, though is the library. The most beautiful quilt I have ever seen hangs high on one library wall, up near the rafters. The school quilt was made by many people who work here, and each square shows a scene that will forever remind of all the things that make Shore Country Day School so special. After the tour, we had juice and cookies at a lovely tea party/bon voyage celebration. All the friends I made in Mrs. Fritz’s class were there, and many grownups who had gathered to say goodbye and wish me well. Of course, we were all very excited. A newspaper photographer took lots of pictures. I was honored to receive an official Shore Country Day School luggage tag for my journey, a postcard showing the library quilt, and this year’s Shore key chain. The ninth graders have a contest each year to design a keychain to represent Shore’s values. These are thoughtful gifts that I will cherish when I return to the Wenham Museum in about two years. They made me promise to share my worldly adventures with them, and I can’t wait!

Miss Columbia

Buckley School 
Manchester, Connecticut
Monday, January 31, 2000

Dear Diary,
Here I am writing this entry on the crumpled up packing paper at the bottom of our cold, dark, trunk-I do’nt know what is going on! I was expecting to arrive at Buckley School in Manchester, CT today. Miss Columbia 1900 said “as long as we are together, we’ll be okay”.
MC2000

Tuesday, Februaury 1, 2000
Dear Diary,
We are still lost and very bored! The only thing I can do for fun is talk to my best friend Miss Columbia 1900, she’s sooo much fun to talk to! I’m so frustrated because we are supposed to be in a nice, cozy school building with a bunch of friendly kids. Miss Columbia 1900 and I started to worry so I took out my Atlas to look for clues as to where we were. I saw lots of snow, Mountain Laurel, and Evergreen trees through a crack in my trunk! I think we are on the right track!
MC2000

Wednesday, February 2, 2000
Dear Diary,
Whew! We just made it in the nick of time for a visit to Mrs. Glotfelty’s 1st grade class. We unpacked in a hurry, paper was flying everywhere. Her class was so thrilled to see us and laughed really hard when I put on my sunglasses. I heard they had a big assembly for my welcome yesterday. Many of the children brought Teddy Bears and wore their Scout uniforms to celebrate the establishment of these traditions. I’m so dissapointed to have missed it as it was so much fun for everyone! The Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz was there to see his old friend Miss Columbia 1900; he left a note of regrets, but said he did have fun greeting children for her. They especially liked the huge POP! of the pretend bubble that Mrs. Maiorano made with her bubble gum! All day we went from class to class, enjoying children’s questions and curiosity about how different Miss Columbia 1900 and I are from each other.I really liked the idea that we should take a trip i! nto space! Miss Columbia 1900 thought that staying on the ground would be a better idea, but I’d love to train with the astronauts for a flight to space to see our beautiful earth from up there. Sad news… it seems that my journal has been lost along the way, so I’ll have to continue my entries on loose-leaf until we can replace it with another. A quick visit after school to the cafeteria for a Girl Scout meeting! They were learning about the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low.
MC2000

Thursday, February 3,2000
Dear Diary,
Today we visited even more classes. Some of the children shook my hand and asked for my autograph. I felt honored , but they felt more honored to be a part of such an important historical journey.I know that everyone at Buckley had fun learning about the differences between the 20th and 21st century, but more importantly, they look forward to learning more about other children “just like them” from all over the world. I feel very fortunate that we can use computers to keep track of our adventures. I was so happy that so many children were interested in our project. Buckley School has an entire showcase set up to display information about the places we visit, and to present facts from the past century and into the future. They change the display every month so there’s always something new to see. There is a map of the United States on the cafeteria wall to show where we are now and where we have been. I hope they put up a map of the worl! d, because I know we’ll make it around the world! There are so many places to see! I heard that the Lutz Children’s Museum here in Manchester is fun, so it would be really nice to go there to see all their live animals and exhibits. Our trip was cut short by our delay so we couldn’t do all that we would have liked. Tomorrow we go on…right now Miss Columbia 1900 and I are going to visit Brownie Troop 643 and help with a paper doll making session.
MC2000

Friday, February 4,2000
We both had so much fun here; all these friendly, welcoming faces were a wonderful sight after such a difficult journey. We wanted to make a special note to remember each of our classroom visits…. so that later we can remember, smile, and laugh together about our special visit to Buckley.

Mrs. Germano  - met 'em all in te hall
Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Gore's class - saw all those Teddies and crayons you shared. 
Mrs. Potterton's class - craziest bunch around!
Mrs. Glotfelty's class - liked their Guinea Pigs, best smilers! 
Mrs. Marocchoni's class - great paper dolls, couldn't paint my nails!
Mrs. Torsiello's class - Most adventurous, want to go to space!
Mrs. Deegan's class - most curiuos, had the most questions
Mrs. Lanning's class - saw you on the fly! We kept saying Hi!
Mrs. Gearin's class - looking for "Uncle Sam" doll, International good-byes!
Mrs. Grossman's class - wanted to write a Miss Columbia Fable, very excited! real longhouse!
Mrs. Bessette's class - after lunch bunch, waited patiently, group photo, nice bird!
Mrs. Williamson's class - old fashioned clothes "hanging around", quiet, well prepared, class book! 
Mrs. Brahm's class - "Hollywood", creative thinkers!

Sumner Avenue School 
Springfield, Massachusetts
Tuesday, February 11, 2000

Dear Diary,
I arrived here at Sumner Avenue School in Springfield, Massachusetts on Monday the 7th. This school is a blend of old and new. It was a very old school but now that it has been renovated it is just beautiful! I am writing this journal entry with my new friends in the computer lab. They are quite good at using computers. While I am here I am learning so much about the city of Springfield. It is located on the Connecticut River. Its nickname is, “The City of Homes” and I saw many beautiful ones on a walk to Forest Park. The students at Sumner often walk to this gorgeous park to study nature. Springfield is also the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. The game of basketball was invented in the city many years ago. The famous author, Dr. Seuss was once a student at Sumner Ave. School. He grew up in this neighborhood and got ideas for his books from the animals at Forest Park Zoo. During my visit here I have become a television star. My introduction to all of the students took place during the morning television broadcast. I loved being the “star” of their daily shows. On Wednesday I became part of a third grade doll museum. Teachers and students brought in dolls to share. Everyone became museum guides and described the dolls using adjectives. I even had my picture taken for the Springfield Union News Newspaper. This doll display gave me memories of my home at the Wenham Museum. There is no time for homesickness now. Today I am leaving to travel north to Rutland, Vermont.

Goodbye, friends at Sumner Avenue School. I will miss your friendly smiling faces.

Christ the King School
Rutland, Vermont
Friday, February 18, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived at Christ the King School on Valentine’s Day in a snow and ice storm. The children were not in school, only the principal, Mr. Johnson, was there to greet me. It was a quiet day. On Tuesday Mrs. Harper’s third grade set me up in an empty classroom next to their library. They even provided a rocking chair for me to sit in! They spent all day making the room like a little museum all about me (and of course the original Miss Columbia). They made individual timelines of inventions and events of the 20th century and a book all about ME! I listened carefully to the children as they worked. They told me about their school and what they thought about me. Christ the King School can hold about 400 children. They have pre-kindergarten through 8th grade classes. They like their school because of their friends, teachers, and especially because they can learn, discuss, and pray to God. They said nice things about me too. First they were surprised that I looked like a girl instead of a grown up lady. They said I had pretty hair and a beautiful face. They debated what tone my skin was. Finally they decided it was a blend of all the different colors people can be and that made me a very good ambassador of peace and understanding. My backpacking was very interesting to them. They added their school seal to my collection. It was a very busy day! I forgot to tell you about my gifts! They gave me a pair of skis, a book of photos of Vermont landscapes, a set of outerwear and a copy of the book they wrote and illustrated about me. They said they gave me the skis because Rutland is at the base of the Killington Mountain ski area. The coat, hat, scarf, and mittens are beautiful! They wanted me to be warm and have a souvenir of Vermont. The wool that was used came from Vermont sheep and it was spun and dyed there as well! One of the kindergarten teachers knit it all for me. It fit just right! I wonder how she knew my size? Many students visited me during my stay. All of them said they were sorry I coundn’t stay longer. I like this school. Every school I have been to leaves me with special memories! The last thing that the Christ the King students did for me was to write me a prayer.

Heavenly Father, Keep Miss Columbia safe on her grand adventure. Help all those whom she visits be touched by her mission of peace and understanding. These words we pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen

I am happy to have that blessing to take with me as I journey far from home.

Allen Brook School
Williston, Vermont
Friday, February 25, 2000

Dear Journal,
I spent the week at the Allen Brook School in Williston, Vermont. This is a very warm and inviting place. The school has kindergarten through fourth graders. The 1st through 4th graders are grouped in what they call “houses”. These houses help the students, teachers and families feel like they are a part of a smaller community. There are about 80 students in each house with 4 teachers. I spent my time in Discovery House. The classes there work with Ms. Birdsall, Ms. Munt, Ms. Stewart and Ms. O’Keefe. Some of the great things going on in Discovery House featured a year-long study of the United States. The students look forward to following my traels and plotting my movement on a map of the country. Since the students have been learning most recently about the South and Human Rights, they used my visit to examine how different groups of people were treated in 1900 and how that may have changed by the year 2000. I learned a lot from the students as well! They also looked in detail at the differences between the two Miss Columbia dolls. Williston is a beautiful town in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. It’s only a few miles from Burlington (Vermont’s largest city), and Lake Champlain. There was an article about me in the local paper, The Williston Whistle. Some students also wrote articles about my visit for the school’s newspaper. Also nearby is the Vermont Teddybear Factory. Discovery House got a souvenir gift for me from there. We all had a terrific time together this week. As usual, I’m sorry to move on. But I know it is time. The students here will certainly continue to follow my travels.

East Derry Memorial Elementary School
Derry, New Hampshire
March 7, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived in Derry, NH on Monday, March 6, 2000. It was a beautiful, sunny day. On my way to East Derry Memorial Elementary School, I visited three of Derry’s sites. The Robert Frost Farm, Pinkerton Academy, and Alan Shepard’s home.

The Robert Frost Farm was the home of Robert Frost, the famous poet. He moved to Derry in 1901. He said that living in Derry, NH helped him write beautiful poetry. He lived on that farm with his wife and children. Robert Frost taught English, geometry, and history at Pinkerton Academy from 1906-1911.

Pinkerton Academy was my next stop. I passed a sign that said that Derry is the home of the first Irish potato. Pinkerton Academy was and still is Derry’s only high school. Today, Pinkerton Academy has many buildings and has 2,975 students. I visited a “sugar house” while I was there. The students make maple syrup by tapping the maple trees, and cooking down the liquid. It smelled so good in the “sugar house”.

Alan Shepard’s house was my next stop. Alan Shepard was the first United States astronaut in 1961. He travelled in space for only 15 minutes before splashing down into the ocean. The children at East Derry Memorial Elementary School are working on a number of projects, inventions, simple machines, the states, and the life cycles of stars. The children work very hard.

On Tuesday, March 7, 2000, the first, second, and third graders had an assembly to welcome me. The children all wore red, white, and blue. Everyone at the assembly got a piece of bubble gum. Bubble gum was invented in the early 1900’s when I first began travelling. Going along with the tradition of giving, the children are donating canned goods to the local food pantry.

The second grade teachers told the children all about me explaining my past and my future. The local newspaper, The Derry News, interviewed me and a photographer took my picture. My picture was in the newspaper the next day. The school’s principal, Ms. Brown, brought me to the fourth and fifth grades so the children could meet me. They were so excited about having the opportunity to compare their town of Derry to other communities around the world through the internet.

I had a wonderful time meeting the children and teachers at East Derry Memorial Elementary School. I will never forget the time that I spent there.

Rockport Elementary School
Camden, Maine
March 17, 2000

Dear Journal,
I have just arrived at Rockport Elementary School. Rockport Elementary School is located in the town of Rockport in mid-coast Maine. The students come from the communities of Rockport and Camden. The students I’m visiting are third graders in this K-5 school of about six hundred. I’m visiting Ms. Marshall’s, Mr. Seidels’s and Mr. Zwecher’s third grade classes.

The Monday I arrived was a beautiful warm and sunny day. The children and teachers helped me unpack. Everyone was excited to meet me and had many questions about my belongings and previous travels.

These students are busy learning about their local history and were eager to share what they have learned in a variety of mediums. They were working on writing songs with singer and songwriter, Cindy Kallet. Each class wrote about a different theme. The theme of Mrs. Marshall’s class was daily life in 1900. Mr. Seidell’s song explored the changes in Rockport Harbor over the last one hundred years. Mr. Zwecher’s class focused on the important ship building industry of the past and present Camden and Rockport. I was amazed by their detailed study and truly enjoyed their songs.

They were also in the process of writing children’s books with author and illustrator, Debby Atwell, on the same themes. The children’s artwork was colorful and imaginative and the texts were well written.

I was able to participate in a rehearsal for a public performance celebrating the completion of these projects and my visit. After a public receiving line, the children carried me in the “Grand March” and proceeded to sing me their songs and read their books. Their songs and books reminded me of times long ago when this region was dominated by the ship building, lime, ice, and fishing industries. Today, only the fishing industry remains and people come from far away to visit its scenic communities and natural beauty.

Unfortunately, stormy weather has disrupted my plans again. The actual performance was snowed out on Friday March 17th and was re-scheduled for the following week when I’ll be at my next destination in Portland, Maine. So, I’m anxiously awaiting a copy of the video that the children promised to send me. I’m sorry that I did not get a chance to say goodbye to my new friends at Rockport Elementary.

Baxter School
Baxter, Maine

Dear Journal,
I arrived at Baxter School on March 20th. Baxter is in Portland, Maine. It is a nice school. Portland is next to the Atlantic Ocean with lots of yummy lobsters. I ate a lobster and it was delicious. Maine is mostly woods, with lots of animal like deer, moose, fish, bears and the black capped chickadee, the state bird. I would like to go hiking in the woods and see a deer. I would also like to go out on a boat. I hope I don’t get seasick! Maine is so nice and Baxter School is one of the greatest places I have visited.

Mrs. Devlin’s students wrote about how a girl’s life would be like in the 1900’s and how it’s different now in the year 2000. I was surprised to see how a video camera and TV work.

Mrs. Devlin’s class taught me a lot.

The Spence School
New York, New York
Monday, April 10, 2000

Dear Journal,

I arrived to the Spence School as the girls were returning from their Spring Break. I was welcomed to the school by 41 kindergarten girls (it’s an all-girls school) and their dolls. They hosted a doll party with delicious cupcakes and juice. I loved meeting all of the different dolls. The school has 10 floors and the kindergarten classes are on the top floor. The girls have recess on the roof which is on the 10th floor. When we look out the windows of the classroom, we can see the reservoir at Central Park. It is so beautiful, especially in Spring! We can see the trees and their leaves that change different colors through the seasons. Down the road from the school is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Spence kindergarten went on a field trip there last month. I had a wonderful time visiting the girls at The Spence School. I am sad to say goodbye. I can’t wait to make new friends at the next school!

Mountaineer Montessori School
Charleston, West Virginia
Tuesday, April 18, 2000

Dear Journal,

I arrived in Charleston, West Virginia on Friday, April 14th. I traveled from New York and it was a long journey. There were lots of mountains. That’s why it’s called The Mountain State. The scenery is wild and wonderful, and dogwood trees were in full bloom.

First, I went to the Kanawha County Public Library and they had a sleepover party just for me! I stayed at the library until Sunday afternoon and then went to Daniel Boone Park where Mountaineer Montessori School held a special turn-of-the-century celebration in my honor! It was called “Past Times: A Family Fun Day.” The weather was perfect, sunny and in the seventies. We started with a picnic lunch of sandwiches, hand-dipped ice cream, and popcorn. Then I listened and watched singing and recorder performances by the students; Karen Vuranch, one of the students’ favorite story-tellers, told wonderful short stories by O. Henry and Rudyard Kipling; Meg and Pam sang and did mimes for us. There are so many talented people here! Later, I watched a dance team do some Applachian-style clogging. Some of the students did tinikling for us. That’s a bamboo stick dance that was popular in the 1900’s. We played games from the turn-of-the-century such as marbles, jump rope! , and three-legged races. What a fun day!

I visited the school on Monday and Tuesday. It’s a small private school for preschool through sixth grade with about 100 students. The students are divided into three age groups: primary (preschool thru kindergarten), junior (first thru third grade), and advanced (fourth thru sixth grade). Children there don’t get grades or take tests. They call their teachers by their first names. I watched them do their morning work using beautiful materials. A lot of this work happened on the floor in front of me. That was interesting. After noon some of the children went off to recorder lessons; others to singing, physical education, art, read-aloud, computer or stitching. In stitching classes, the first, second, and third grade students made me a quilt! It’s a patchwork with sequins too. I love it!

I really enjoyed visiting the Mountaineer Montessori School and I will miss the children very much. I thank them for having me, for making the quilt, and I, in turn, I wish them well in their studies.

Grace & St. Peter’s School
Baltimore, Maryland
Wednesday, April 26, 2000

Dear Journal,

On Thursday, I was received at The Maryland Historical Society as “The Doll of Honor.” However, it was no honor to be stuffed into an overheated box. But I only stayed at the Historical Society for a night. Then I was moved around the corner to Grace & St. Peter’s School. There I learned that Baltimore was not always a huge metropolitan area with many suburbs. In fact, it was once only a tiny town on a hill overlooking a harbor. Then it became a little city with rural surroundings. Around the time of the Civil War, a riot took place there. And then in the early 1900’s, it stood a moderate-sized city but with little suburbs. I also learned that a couple of blocks down the street is the first monument built honoring President George Washington.

Ridge School
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Friday, May 12, 2000

Dear Journal,

I arrived at Ridge School on Friday, May 5, 2000. The town of Ridgewood is lovely with many tall trees. About 25,000 people live in Ridgewood and there are many activities for children. They told me that they play on all kinds of sports teams and attend lessons for dance and piano after school. Ridge School has grades kindergarten through fifth grade. There are about 460 students.

I am using a word processor to complete my journal entry because computers are very important at Ridge School. The students do most of their writing using a computer. There are 3-4 computers in each class, a computer lab in the library, and a computer lab outside of the fourth and fifth grade classes. Students have required writing samples which must be completed and sent to the principal for review.

I had a terrific time at Ridge School. I was treated to a wonderful musical performance by the fifth graders. They sang songs from each decade during the past 100 years.

I was honored to know that Miss Columbia 1900 and I will be the topic of a fourth grade drama workshop. The children will learn about changes which have taken place during the last 100 years. They will work with a drama consultant to write a musical production, and they will perform the show for students and parents. I wish I could stay to see the show, but I will have to continue my journey.

I enjoyed watching the children as they listened to my story with amazement. They were very interested in learning about my journey and how the world has changed from 1900-2000. The students told me some of the things that they think will be around in 100 years.

The kids at Ridge made me feel very welcome, and I enjoyed my stay in New Jersey. They truly welcomed me with open arms.

Herrick Park
Tecumseh, Michigan
Friday, May 19, 2000

Dear Journal,

I arrived in Tecumseh, Michigan at Herrick Park 5th Grade School on Monday May 15,2000 At Herrick Park they have four class teams, the red, blue, yellow, and green teams. They have band, music, gym, and art as encores.

Chief Tecumseh came to Tecumseh which was named after him. He was a great Indian Warrior. At the McDonalds in Tecumseh there are oil paintings of Chief Tecumseh and his tribe. He traveled America to promote peace with the white men.

Laura Haviland is a woman who operated an underground railroad tunnel from Adrian to Tecumseh. There is a statue of Laura Haviland across from the Adrian Firre Station. I went and saw the Laura Haviland statue in Adrian. ( Adrian is the town next to Tecumseh.) Tecumseh was a big part of the undergound railroad to help fugitive slaves. Many of the older houses in Tecumseh have underground tunnels that lead from one house or place to another.

The River Raisin begins in Novell Lake in Jackson County, and then flows through Tecumseh into Lake Erie. (One of the five Great Lakes.) This river is in the Guiness Book of World Records for being the river with the most twists and turns.

May 17, 2000 Today, I visited the capitol of Michigan,Lansing. In Lansing we went to the courtroom and the capital building. It was really fun!! It took us about 70 minutes to get to Lansing from Tecumseh. We also went to the Impressions-5 Deli for lunch and then we went to the Impressions-5 Hands on Museum It was a great day!!

May 18, 2000 I got to go to Tecumseh’s three Elementry Schools today. I went with Herrick Park’s Honors Band and Choir. They performed great! When I got back I got my pictire taken in the city newspaper. It was great!

May 19, 2000 Today is my last day in Tecumseh. I had lots of fun this week. Before I left Mrs. Beil’s class therw me a surprise going away party. Just for me! During the party Mrs. Beil presented me with presants of T-shirt of Cheif Tecumseh in the shape of Michigan, a key chain that says TECUMESEH, MI, a cookie cutter in the shape of Michigan, and a book of Historical Houses in Tecumseh. I loved my gifts! It was very kind of Mrs. Beil and her students to thorw me a surprise party. I really enjoyed my stay in Tecumseh!!!

Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection
New Paltz, New York
June 9, 2000

Dear Journal,

I am writing from the Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection at Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz, New York. A lady is letting me use the computer to type in my journal entry. How did I end up in a library? Well, after visiting Professor Susan Stessin-Cohn’s graduate class at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz and meeting Mr. Simon’s students at Lenape Elementary School, Susan told me I would be staying in a very special place for the rest of my time here. She calls it her “second home” because she loves to do research here. She drove me in her van, and her little girl talked to me all the way and helped carry my luggage. (Aliya i so cute–I wish I could take her with me on the rest of my trip!) For the last two days, I have met many interesting people and overheard their conversations (yes, they are allowed to talk in this library!). I was afraid I’d be loney and bored in a historical collection. Boy, was I wrong!! On the walls are maps of New P! altz that were made even before Miss Columbia 1900 was born!! A man came in yesterday wanting to know how old his house was, and Carol Johnson, the coordinator of this collection, showed him how he could look for his house on the 1853 map, and he found it! Then he looked in some books and found out more about his house. Another man came in who is writing a book about old houses in the area, and the two of them talked about his house some more! While this was happening, Carol helped some of Susan’s students find our about people who lived and died here a long time ago. They used the “microfilm” machine to look up “census” records, and got out very old “documents” that told about these people. Marion Ryan, who works here with Carol, showed them some old photographs she has collected in her “picture archives” and they made “laser” copies of them to use in the scrapbooks they are making about these people. I am learning lots of new words from listening carefully and watchin! g closely. Already this morning, a photographer named Lauren came in and had me and Miss Columbia 1900 pose with our arms around each other. Our picture will be in the weekly paper. Then, a whole class of nursery school kids came in and were asking questions about me and learning about my trip. While all this was going on, some library volunteers and board members were stuffing envelopes for the Library Fair, which will be held in July. I wish I could stay for it–they said last year there were clowns and a ukelele player and lots of things to buy, like books, toys and games, food, plants, and books, of course! I haven’t even told you about the history of New Paltz! It was founded by 12 French Huguenot families who left France because the were persecuted for their religious beliefs. They settled here and there is a street in New Paltz with six of their original stone houses, the earliest dating back to 1692. There were also Indians here back then, and that’s where Lena! pe Elementary School got its name. The other elementary school is name Duzine, after the “12” Huguenots. I never realized words could have such interesting stories attached to them! New Paltz has a beautiful mountain call “Shawangunk” and a river named the Wallkill that runs north! Now Susan is packing my things so I will ask Linda to print out this entry and paste it into the Journal.

Point Allerton U.S. Lifesaving Station
Stoney Beach, Hull, Massachusetts
August 5, 2000

Dear Journal,

I arrived on July 30 at the Hull Lifesaving Museum and was greeted by the Hull Girl Scouts and the livesaving museum staff. What nice people–they had arranged a whole week full of events just for me! On Sunday night I was pretty tired (due to all my recent traveling), but I made it all the way through a delightful ice cream social before falling asleep. On Monday night a woman traveled down from the Wenham Museum to explain to my hosts (and lots of people from around town) the wonders of Victorian dress. On Tuesday the Girl Scouts made beautiful straw hats (they even made one little one for me!) so that they could wear them to the tea party we had on Thursday. Oh, what a party! We enjoyed tea (as well as some cold drinks–it gets HOT here in Hull!) and some delectable butter cookies. I went to sleep that night with pleasant thoughts and dreamt I could still hear the laughter and bubbly talk of all the young children. Friday morning came, and I woke up early to make the most of my last full day at Hull. Beth and Emily gave me one last tour of the museum (I learned more every time I hear it) so that I would remember all about the brave lifesavers who once lived here. Throughout the day, SO many people came to visit me and say goodbye. On Friday nigth we had a sleepover party for the Girl Scouts and we stayed up very late. None of us wanted it to end. So this morning, as I ready myself for travel, it is with mixed emotions that I prepare to leave. I certainly will miss Hull, but I can’t wait to see all the other amazing destinations to which I am headed! So when I next write I shall be somewhere new, somewhere new and exciting…

POINT ALLERTON U.S. LIFESAVING STATION
Stoney Beach, Hull, Massachusetts

July 2000

Dearest Miss Columbia,
It is with the greatest pride and sense of honor that I welcome you to the Point Allerton U.S. Life Saving Station in Hull, Massachusetts. As a life-long resident of the town, I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce you to its finest aspects. In turn, I am only too grateful to show with my fellow townspeople the pleasure of making your acquaintance. We have planned a full and exciting visit for you including an ice-cream social, a square dance, a brass band, an afternoon tea, and a sleep-over party. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you are overly fatiqued by any of our activities; I am aware of the delicacy of young women on prolonged voyages. We wish you a delightful visit in Hull. Thank you for gracing our museum and our town with your charming presence.

Scituate Historical Society
Scituate, MA
August 11, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived in Scituate six days ago, and what a whirlwind tour it has been! I rode from Hull with some of the Scituate Girl Scouts in an antique car, rumbling and bouncing our way to the Scituate Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum. There I took up quarters just in front of an exhibit about a Boston pilot boat, a sailing ship, that shared the same name as me! Sadly, the boat Columbia wrecked in Scituate in 1898, and the whole crew of firemen was lost…

The following day from where I sat I could see one of the most glorious and beautiful things I have ever laid eyes on. At the annual Scituate Heritage Days celebration the townsfolk raised the world’s largest American Flag, 45 feet high by 90 feet long! I was told that the flag once flew over Mt. Rushmore, another site I hope to see someday.

On Monday morning I traveled to the Scituate Town Library, where young children gathered to listen to stories read by the local Girl Scouts. One story in particular touched my hear. It was called “Mailing May,” and it was the true story of a girl who was once mailed to her grandmother by train as a package, and not a passenger. I somehow felt like I had heard the story before…

Later that day I was taken to the Kathleen Laidlaw Historical Center, an 1893 “Little Red Schoolhouse,” where I was greeted by the many volunteers of the Scituate Historical Society. When I awoke on Tuesday morning, 32 bright and shining young faces greeted me, the faces of summer campers from Cambridge. I was so surprised by their visit, I had no chance to freshen up, so I put on my sunglasses. That afternoon I was carried off to a local church for an ice cream social. The Girl Scouts showed me how to make my own ice cream, and we had sack races, drew silhouettes, rolled hoops, tossed water balloons, and blew bubbles. A local woman laid out her collection of antique toys from the early 20th Century, including dolls, teddy bears, and sleds, so that other children might see what kids played with in my older sister’s time. That night, the Girl Scouts and I stood in front of the Scituate Board of Selectmen. I had no idea such an honor would be given to me, as they announced that in honor of my being in Scituate, this week was declared to be “Miss Columbia Week.”

On Wednesday, I visited an 1825 homestead, the Mann Farmhouse Museum and its beautiful Wildflower Garden. A local artist came by and said she had been so excited to hear that I was coming and couldn’t believe that I was finally here! She made sure she had her picture taken with me. I learned all about the way people lived nearly two centuries ago. That night I was at the Library again for more books, and more children’s faces.

On Thursday, I took the most special trip of all. I had heard stories all week about two young girls named Abigail and Rebecca who lived at Scituate Lighthouse. That morning, I finally got to hear their story firsthand. It seems that during the War of 1812 a British warship came into Scituate Harbor hoping to steal all of the supplies of the town. The two girls were alone at the lighthouse, and, thinking quickly, they grabbed a fife and drum and played “Yankee Doodle” as loudly as they could. When the British got near enough to hear the music, they believed an entire American army was waiting for them on shore. They then turned their boat around and headed back for their ship, and out of the harbor for good, never to bother Scituate again. The lightkeeper took me to the top of the lighthouse where very few people get to go.

At night we had a lot of fun. I met the Girl Scouts at Egypt beacon for a sandcastle building contest and family picnic. Local stores gave prizes for the best sandcastles, and every child left with a bag of candy and a balloon. I have never seen so many castles in one place! And to think they were all built for me.

On Friday, I said my goodbyes to the Girl Scouts, the Historical Society, and the rest of the people of Scituate. Although I am tired from week’s travels, I am also very excited and happy to have seen and done everything in this little seaside town. I do hope that when I get back home to Wenham, that all of my new friends will visit me and the rest the dolls. I know I will have fun at my future destinations, but I will surely miss all the smiley faces of Scituate.

Richardson-Bates House
Oswego, NY 13126
August 22, 2000

Dear Journal,

I have been here in Oswego, New York, at the Richardson-Bates House Museum for one week today. Miss Columbia 2000 and I were delighted to find that one our “sisters” lives right here in the museum! She is a 1906 Columbian Doll, made near Oswego by Emma and Marietta Adams, the sisters who originally made all of my ancestors.
We have had a very busy week. On Thursday, children from the Oswego Y.M.C.A. came to see us. The next evening, the museum hosted a special reception for us and invited the descendants of Emma and Marietta Adams. Some of the family members brought other Columbian Dolls with them, so we met more members of my “family.” It was such a wonderful surprise! We even met Marietta Adams daughter who is 93 years old. Over 40 family members attended the reception.
Today children are to another special reception for us. A local bakery made lovely Columbian Doll-shaped cookies and decorated them to look like me. They will be served with punch to drink. A special story about one of my “Columbian” sisters visiting this house one hundred years ago will be told. Mrs. Betty Moshier, a retired teacher from Oswego, wrote this delightful story. She also sang us songs and served as hostess for this final event of my stay.
I feel so at home in Oswego, this beautiful small city on the shore of Lake Ontario. It was wonderful to come here and discover my roots. I will leave with many fond memories.

Annunciation Catholic School
Havelock, North Carolina
August 31, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived at Annunciation Catholic School in Havelock, N.C., on a very rainy Monday morning. Teachers were busy working, but the students had not yet arrived because of a two-hour delay due to a break in on of the water pipes. I unpacked and sat up in the school library where classes were to visit me throughout the week. The 248 children in grades pre-school through eigth were very interested in my travels. They compared my predecessors adventures to mine, and decided that school certainly was different 100 years ago. In between visits from the students I was able to gaze out of the library windows to see the park across the street. Erected near the park is a Harrier fighter jet reminding all who travel through this city of it’s connection to the military. Havelock is home to the largest Marine Corps Air Station, the second Marine Aircraft Wing. That would explain the noise of airplanes which routinely engage in training missions right over the school. The students were kind enough to prepare a farewell party in my honor on Thursday. Everyone in the school assembled in Howard Hall while the seventh grade and Kindergarten students put on a skit. The sixth graders did a great job decorating and serving refreshments. Students attend Mass regularly on Friday mornings, so it was fitting that I spend my last few hours with them in church singing songs and praising God. I was delighted at the hospitality shown by this small coastal community school, and they assured me that they would keep me in their prayers as I continue my travels.

Schwarzkopf Elementary
Lutz, Florida
September 8, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived at Schwarzkopf Elementary on a rainy Tuesday morning. Florida’s nickname is the Sunshine State but it was not sunny the week I was there! I did have a wonderful time even though the weather wasn’t sunny all the time. The third graders at Schwarzkopf welcomed me with open arms. They were so interested in the places I had already visited. They told me all about their state and the Tampa Bay area. Florida has such an interesting environment with lots of unusual animals like manatees, flamingos, and alligators. Unfortunantly many of the animals in Florida are endangered. The Tampa Bay area is also home to many professional sports teams. If there isn’t a professional game to go to, you can always visit one of the amusement parks or museums that are in the Tampa Bay area. The week I spent at Schwarzkopf was so enjoyable…. I will always remember the children and the time we spent together.

Livingston Elementary School
Covington, Georgia
September 15, 2000

Dear Journal,
I was disappointed that I arrived late to Georgia. Corey Reid and La Darrius Maddox helped the teacher bring the trunk to class. The students were very excited to meet me. The school I visited was Livingston Elementary. The students are in grades pre-K – 5th. The principal, Mr. Wardlow, told everyone about my visit on “Good Morning Livingston.” He even put me on T.V. I learned some interesting information about Georgia. It is the “Peach State.” President Jimmy Carter is from Plains, Georgia. He was a peanut farmer which is also an important crop for Georgia. The capital is Atlanta and there are many things happening in the largest city Southeast of the Mississippi River. Atlanta is the home of the Braves baseball team, the sight of the 1996 Summer Olympics, and truly an International city. Covington is only 35 miles east of Atlanta. I found out that it has many antebellum homes and historic sights. The classes are sending postcards of some of the places I visited. I was also able to see some filming of movies. Newton County is a favorite sight to Hollywood. I remember hearing about the T.V. Programs, “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “In the Heat of the Night.” I visited many of the scenes from these programs. I hope some day I will get to visit the mountains and beaches in Georgia. It is a beautiful state. I sure do feel sad that I must leave so soon.

Piney Grove Center for Communication and Science
Kernersville, North Carolina
September 20, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived in Kernersville, N.C. during hurricane season. Fortunately I just missed one. Instead we had heavy rain which is common in the N.C. climate where summers are hot and humid. Kernersville is a small town in between Winston Salem and Greensborough. It is in the peidmont region at the foothills of the Appalacian Mountain Range which runs through the western part of the state. People in N.C. get to travel to beaches, mountains, plains and plateau while other states may only have one or two landforms. In the center of the state where the plains and plateaus are they grow vegetables such as corn and sweet potatoes and also a plant called cotton. North Carolina also grows a lot of tobacco. I saw the green leaves in the fields. They are almost finished being picked. When I listened to the kids at Piney Grove School talk about their homes I learned even more. Did you know most of the country’s Thanksgiving turkeys come from N.C.? Many of the Christmas trees sold throughout the U.S. come from the N.C. mountains. President Clinton got his turkey from this wonderful state. N.C. also makes most of the world’s furniture. That’s impressive! I heard that N.C. had many lighthouses, but I never knew so many could be in such a small place. They named one Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. They had to move it so the ocean wouldn’t wash it away. The lighthouses keep boats from crashing into the barrier islands that protect N.C. So many ships have sunk in the Atlantic next to N.C., that people started calling it “The graveyard fo the Atlantic.” Now that I have to leave I wish I had time to visit the old city of Salem which the children told me about. I guess the Moravian star and candle will me me to remember the Moravians. They came from Germany to this country looking for freedom to practice their Moravian religion. Perhaps, if I return, I can see all the wonderful sights the children told me about.

St. Gabriel School
Charlotte, North Carolina
September 25, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived at St. Gabriel School in Charlotte, North Carolina about 10:00 a.m. local time. Boy is it hot! Mrs. Sharon Broxterman, the Principal, went to get Mrs. Emily Dunning, one of the Fifth Grade Teachers, to open the box and let us out. Mrs. Broxterman and Mrs. Debbie Butler, the Assistant Principal, came to visit me and welcome me to St. Gabriel School. I then went with Mrs. Ellen Chase, the Librarian, to her classes. I met a lot of wonderful children. We talked about items encountered by Miss Columbia 1900 and compared them with things available today that I will see in my travels. At the end of the day I was brought back to Mrs. Dunning’s room. After school I was presented with my first gift from the Charlotte area. Molly and Anna Boda, Godchildren of Mrs. Dunning, and Julie, their older sister, gave me a Carolina Panther Handkerchief and a pom-pom. The Panthers are the professional American football team here in the Carolinas and are based right here in Charlotte. They told me they go to all the home games. It was a great day. The children are very friendly and want to learn everything there is about my travels and me.

Beaumont Elementary Magnet Academy
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A
Monday October 2, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived here at Beaumont Elementary Magnet Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee barely I time for a huge assembly in the gymnasium in my honor. The gym was decorated so nicely with posters made by the children here at Beaumont. Three were red, white and blue balloons and streamers everywhere. I was so honored!
The Kindergartners, First and Second Grade classes were the first students I got to meet. Student members of Dance Works and the Polka Dots performed quite a few dances representing the last century, including the Charleston, the Polka and the Waltz. Students from the fourth grade performed skits on several historical figures of the past century, including Helen Keller, Henry Ford, Amelia Earheart, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Princess Diana. I learned so much from them and really enjoyed it when I saw it again for the third, fourth and fifth graders came to meet me. They even had a television crew there and I was on the news today. Thank you Beaumont for such a great day.
Time to close after such a busy day!

E.B.W. Stoner Hill Elementary Lab School
Shreveport, Louisiana
October 13, 2000

Dear Journal,
Wow!This Louisiana land is a lively place! Miss Columbia and I arrived at E.B.W. Stoner Hill Lab School around 10:00 a.m. on October 9, 2000. Stoner Hill is a magnet school in inner-city Shreveport, which is the third largest city in Louisiana. For a short period of time during the Civil War, Shreveport was the capital of the Confederacy. It’s a lovely city in northwest Louisiana, built along the banks of the Red River. Mrs. Martha Cook’s fourth and fifth grade students were busy practicing for a play in the auditorium when we came. They were surprised when they came to the Discoveries room, and found us quietly waiting in our box. The kids loved us immediately! (By the way, we learned that Discoveries is an enrichment class for high-achieving students from second through fifth grades.) On Tuesday there was a schoolwide assembly in the morning. We were introduced in play form by the Discoveries students. Then the kids asked if we would like to learn about the founding of Shreveport. Of course, we politely agreed so they went backstage and donned beautiful hats, parasols, topcoats, and such. When they returned, they performed a play about Captain Henry Miller Shreve clearing the Red River in the 1830’s. The students also sang and danced to a song about Shreve and his snagboat, the Archimedes. We recognized the music as “Proud Mary,” but what a different message! We could hardly keep our feet still while they danced. Then the Fifth Grade Choir, under Becky Hatcher’s direction, sang some spirited Louisiana songs. Drummers ended the program with a dramatic rhythmic beat. It was a great experience to be a part of it all. The next day an incredible event occurred. After school the fourth and fifth grade Discoveries students and we boarded a school bus and drove to a tall building in downtown Shreveport. On the fifteenth floor we finally arrived at the Petroleum Club. Student and teacher representatives from elementary school all across Caddo Parish were there, dressed in their finest, many wearing hats. The Stoner Hill kids hosted the party, and you could tell they were really loving it. Everyone brought dolls, which were placed on long tables in the background. The dining tables were beautifully decorated by art teacher Sophie Duke. Mrs. Juanita Odom played a lively piano as everyone chattered happily. Then Mayor Keith Hightower read an impressive document, proclaiming October 11, 2000 as Miss Columbia Doll Day! He even gave us a key to the city! Miss Columbia 2000 and I were simply overwhelmed with pride and humility. Next our hosts performed their for the audience–to raving reviews. For the grand finale, they all sang “Aren’t They Sweet?” as the students held their dolls. It was so touching that we could hardly hold back the tears. On Thursday, the SHREVEPORT TIMES ran a super article about us and the Dolls’Tea Party. The Stoner Hill kids were so excited about their picture in the paper. It is fun to be a celebrity! We visited with more classes for the rest of the day. These students really love geography and dolls! After school a “Fais-Do-Do” was held. All the classes performed Louisiana songs and dances, and fried chicken was served. Did we not tell you this was a happening place? Finally on Friday our troop traveled across town to Riverside Elementary to perform our play again. It seems to be a big hit wherever we go. The Riverside students were having a mother-daughter tea party, but we had to get back to Stoner Hill to prepare for our departure. Mrs. Tharpe, their Discoveries teacher, sent treats back with us. Wasn’t that sweet? We have had a ball with our Louisiana hosts. They really do know how to make you feel at home, and Shreveport is such a beautiful city. We’ll never forget the lesson we learned from Captain Henry Shreve–to persist until the task is done. How we’ll miss these delightful people, but the truth is, we need some rest!

Red Bird Elementary
Madison, Ohio
October 20, 2000

Dear Journal,
On October 16th I was supposed to arrive at Red Bird Elementary School in Madison, Ohio. But something unfortunate happened and UPS lost us in Cleveland. My host teacher, Mrs. Swackhamer, called UPS and after a sleepless night, I finally made it to Red Bird. Red Bird Elementary is a public school in northeast Ohio, only a stone’s throw from Lake Erie. There are almost 600 atudents in this school. The third graders were happy to see me. On Monday they held an assembly without me. So on Tuesday, Miss Columbia 1900 and I rode in a special cart around to the third grade classrooms. They learned a lot from me and I learned a lot from them. The students were working on special projects. In Mrs. Hadden’s room each pupil made a time line with special events from the 20th century. They used adding machine paper. What a busy century! Mrs. Ungers’ students each brought their favorite doll to school and she read them a book called BEST FRIENDS. It was a story about a pioneer girl and an Indian girl who shared a special doll about 100 years ago. I wish I had a doll like Mrs. Ungers had. Mrs. Roby taught her students all about the Morse Code. She even brought in a real telegraph machine. I also saw the library display case. Mrs. Roby is a doll-maker and she filled the display case with dolls she had made for the children to enjoy. The students in Mrs. Swackhamer’s class each designed their own paper doll. Everyone named theirs “Madison”, boys as well as girls. The dolls are writing a special journal about third grade activities. At the end of the year the RBE Publishing Room will bind them into books for the students to take home. Mrs. Swackhamer also had lots of old stuff to show us-like a pair of baby shoes that fastened with buttons that had belonged to her Mother. The third graders didn’t want to be greedy and keep us in their hall all week. So we were placed in the BIG display case by the office along with all of our things. We were surprised and happy not to be alone there. The Red Bird t
P.S. My friends are going to have other activities this year to celebrate the new millenium. Mrs. Swackhamer has asked the staff to contribute to other super display cases. The themes are “Toyland” (old toys from the 20th century), “Frozen in Time” (old brown and white photos from each decade), “School Days” ( a display of old books, slates, lunchboxes, etc.), and “Guess What I Am” (unusual things so students can try to guess what they are.)

Eastern Elementary
Lexington, Ohio
October 27,2000

Dear Diary,
What an unbelievable week!! I safely traveled from Redbird Elementary School, in Madison, Ohio, and arrived at Eastern Elementary School in Lexington, Ohio via UPS. Thank goodness the key to my trunk was in the morning mail, and I and my companion could be freed from its confines almost immediately. Mrs. Montague’s students were so excited to see me, but they were also very careful with my handling. They really treasured my Passport book and Journal, along with Miss Columbia 1900’s scrapbook. I relaxed the rest of the day, in preparation for a busy evening and the week ahead. I was scheduled to speak at Mrs. Montague’s PEO Chapter CJ meeting Monday evening, however, she took me first to visit a lovely lady who was unable to attend the meeting, so she could meet me. What delightful couple she and her husband are! Mrs. Thoss was so excited that I was able to come to her home, that I am afraid I caused her undo stress in her already frail condition. Mr. Thoss, who is blind, greatly appreciated my visit, and gently felt my features, and those of my companion, while Mrs. Montague described me to him. The ladies of Chapter CJ were extremely kind and enthusiastic. They were very interested in everywhere I have been and all the adventures I have had on this trip. They suggested that if I ever get close to Kansas City, perhaps I can visit Cotty College, near Nevada Missouri, which is a private girls’ school, that their organization supports. They were very gracious and promised to follow my adventures via the Internet. Monday night we returned to Mrs. Montague’s house, Leland Manor, an English Tudor, where I met her husband, /*Robert, an interior designer, and had late night tea. I stayed in the antique guest room with a collection of other dolls, and we chatted most of the night, exchanging stories of all our many adventures. By early morning, we finally settled down to get a few hours sleep. Bright and early Tuesday, we were up and off to Eastern Elemantary again. What a busy day. Almost 600 children in this building, that houses only 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, that was once a thermostat factory. A sprawling building on one floor, it is handicapped accessible, very brightly lighted, and very clean. It has only one drawback, however. The building has no windows to look from to see the gently rolling hills and the beautiful colors of the late autumn foliage, but with all the hustle and bustle of a busy school, one soon forgets the need of them. I spent the day visiting classrooms, where all the children were very glad to see me. They knew so much about me, through their studies on the Internet, that they never referred to me as a doll, but rather as a “doll with a mission”. They will remember my visit for a long time, and plan to follow me as I journey around the United States and world. The teachers held a luncheon in my honor, Tuesday, at noon, and, oh, the food, you wouldn’t believe! Salads, desserts, fancy breads and fruits: what a spread; and all because of my visit! They even had a “Welcome Miss Columbia” sign on the dry-erase board–and all for me! Tuesday afternoon I visited the Lexington Branch of the Richland County Library. There I was put on display where the public could see me and look at my journals. The librarian said I was quite a success. Mrs. Montague picked me up, and again I went to her home and spent a pleasant evening telling the “girls” in the guest room all about my day’s adventures. Wednesday was a pack full of fun day! The fourth grade classes of Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Johnson, along with the reading teacher, Mrs. McDaniel, had a surprise tea party in my honor. Oh, how excited those children were! They dressed up in their very best clothes, served tea and cookies on glass plates, with linen napkins and table cloths. How well mannered they were! They even brought their favorite dolls, so I could meet them. They also had a good time making paper dolls and deciding what to send to the museum to represent this part of Ohio. What will it Be? Through the miracle of technology, I was able to visit the grandeur of north-central Ohio. The beautiful rolling hills with the purples, reds, and golds of the leaves, provided a perfect background as I was whisked to Malabar State Farm to visit the home of famous author Louis Bromfield. It was here that actor and actress, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married. Up the road and around a bend is an old stagecoach stop called Malabar Inn, where guests can come for a quiet luncheon or a candlelight dinner. Lexington is also known for the Mid Ohio Sports Car Race Track where Indy cars compete several times a season. Auto racing is big news in this area of Ohio. We strolled through beautiful Kingwood Center in Mansfield, the former home of Charles Kelly King, industrialist and founder of Ohio Brass Company. Here one can spend hours touring the greenhouses and the beautiful botanical gardens. We took a quick spin on the carousel in downtown Mansfield; one of the largest indoor rides of its kind in the country. All the horses and animals were handcarved and hand painted by local artists. We visited the carousel factory where they were made. How interesting! This area also sports two ski resorts: Snow Trails and Clearfork Ski Area, for downhill skiing. I shall have to return at a later time to try my luck on the slopes! With Mohican State Park and Resort Hotel nearby, this part of Ohio offers a wonderland of vacation opportinity and relaxation all year round. Thursday was a different day. Ohio has F O G So much fog that school was delayed for two hours! I worried that I would not be able to see all the children in the school before my visit was over on Friday, but with some rearranging of some schedules and adjustment of my time on Friday, I personally saw all of the children in their class rooms. What a busy, but enjoyable time I had at Eastern. I’m sorry to leave so soon, but I know I must go on, as there are children at St. Simon the Apostle School in Indianapolis, Indiana, waiting to greet me too.

St. Simon the Apostle School
Indianapolis, Indiana
October 30, 2000

Dear Journal,
I made it safely to St. Simon the Apostle School in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 30, 2000. St. Simon is a large Catholic School (K-8)containing approximately 740 children. I am visiting Mrs. Crouse’s fifth grade class this week. Indianapolis is the home of the world famous Indy 500 race as well as the Nascar Brickyard 400 and the Formula One road course race. It’s been a very busy week with Halloween parties and the presidential election events that I did not get to spend as much time with the children as I would have liked. Perhaps I can visit again in the future.

Bent Elementary School
Bloomington, Illinois
November 10, 2000

Dear Journal,
I have spent a wonderful week with the 350 students here at Bent. I arrived on time Monday, but due to a rainstorm, I didn’t get my ride in a 1933 Hupmobile. The school was decorated for my arrival. A timeline of the decades of the century is in the Main Hall, as well as paper dolls all the children made. I was entertained by Dan Keding, a storyteller and singer on Monday. Tuesday I visited many classrooms. A real Barbie came too! Wednesday the entire school went to the History Museum to see things from 1900. The 4th Graders took me to meet the Mayor of Bloomington and to the Frink House, a home built in 1865. On Thursday I attended an assembly about games from the turn of the century. Parents decorated the cafeteria with large paper dolls for “Restaurant Day.” Wood carvers, crafters, and five special 100 year old special guests entertained me on my last afternoon. Thursday evening was Family Reading Night. I got to meet many parents and had my picture taken with many families. Friday morning I went back to the local History Museum so that people from all over McLean County could meet me. I met dolls at the Museum from the past 150 years. As the week ends, I am very tired and will rest up over the weekend as I fly on to Chicago, my other stop in Illinois. The children at Bent wree so good to me and marveled at my shipping box. I will treasure many things I saw and did. I saw the world’s largest private rock collection, as well as the baseball used in the first World Series in 1884. I bid a fond farewell to the Bent Superstars of Bloomington, Illinois. Enjoyed being on T.V., radio and newspaper.

A variety of activities were planned to relate curriculum surrounding my visit to the Bent Elementary School in Bloomington, Illinois. These pictures exhibit samples of some of our activities. Visitors brought in demonstrations of crafts, games, and music from the Turn of the Century.
	A Twentieth Century Timeline, created by each grade level, lined our hallways.
	While visiting classrooms, children brought their own dolls and made journal entries.

The Ancona School
Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday
November 14, 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived in Chicago, Illinois on November 13th 2000 after a safe journey from Bloomington, Illinois. The weather here is beautiful and this being autumn, the air is crisp and cool, and the leaves are falling from the trees. We are staying with the students of THE ANCONA SCHOOL which is lovated in the historic Hyde Park/Kenwood area of Chicago. The school itself is charming and very modern, and the students have been very hospitable. They had a warm welcome planned for me with the whole school assembled in the gymnasium to sing songs and present me with a lovely patchwork quilt made by the children in the third and fourth grades. The Alderman of this ward of the city, Mrs. Toni Preckwinkle, read a proclamation declaring November 14th to be Miss Columbia Day which was passed by the City Council and signed by the Mayor, Richard Daley. We were very honored by this grand gesture. After the assembly, we were the guests of honor at an old fashioned ice cream social attended by all of Ancona’s pre-primary students and first and second grade students with their dolls. While were getting to know each other and eating our ice cream, a wonderful gentleman by the name of Leon Despres visited with the middle school students and told th em all about the century of change here in Hyde Park. Mr. Despres is ninety-two years old and was alderman here for many years. He is too young to remember my companion’s first visit to Chicago one hundred years ago, but he certainly remembers just about everything else since her last trip here. Later, in the afternoon we went to the school library and watched a movie entitled Pollyanna with the third and fourth grade students. We all enjoyed the movie, but my companion was particularly fond of this story which is set in the time period of her first journey around the world and is about an orphan girl and a doll and a small town that raises money to build a new orphanage. It has been a very full day and we are looking forward to a good night’s sleep before we begin attending classes tomorrow with the children of The Ancona School.

Thursday
November 16, 2000
Dear Journal,
What a busy day we have had today! We began our day with the first and second grade students in John Zurbrigg’s room who were keenly interested in taking our measurements. I am 51 cm tall and my companion measures 46 cm in height. She was somewhat more difficult to measure due to her full dress and petticoats, but everyone managed the best that they could. We found out that a “cubit” is the measurement of distance from the tip of ones fingers to the elbow. My cubit was 13 cm while companion’s cubit was only 11 cm. We then shared stories and answered questions at line time in the preprimary class rooms. We stopped for a bit of lunch with the third and fourth grade students in Nancy Willis and Scott Robert’s class room and the continued our school activities with the first and second grade students of Jenn Hempel and Annelise Pederson. They read excepts from our journal out loud and the students were able to learn all about the places we have visited before coming to Chicago. We visited next with the third and fourth grade students and we were measured once again by the teachers, Janet Gray McKennis and Bert Rice. We are looking forward to using our new quilt tonight as the weather

Tuesday
21 November 2000
Dear Journal,
Today was our last day with the students at Ancona School. We spent much of yesterday and part of today attending art classes with Janet Musich. We met a wonderful old bear named Jello who is temporarily lodged in the art room with his own rocking chair. He has many stories to tell and we enjoyed spending time with him while the students drew pictures of us. I am feeling much better and I am grateful to all who have taken care of us and entertained us during our visit here in Chicago. I hope many of the children that we have met will come to Wenham and visit us when we return from our world travels. Tomorrow we are off to Wisconsin!

La Rabida Children’s Hospital
Chicago, Illinois
Friday
November 17, 2000

Dear Journal,
This morning I did not feel good. My chest was tight and it was hard to breathe. I made a wheezing sound when I took a breath. Two teachers from Ancona School took me to La Rabida Children’s Hospital. I went to the Emergency Room. It was pretty busy there with lots of nurses, doctors, and other kids. Dr. Jaudes took care of me. She examined me and told me that I was having an asthma attack. I got an I.V. in my arm and I got lots of “nebs.” (Nebs are breathing treatments that help people breath better.) Since I was still having trouble breathing, they admitted me to the hospital. I went to room 216 on the second floor. I stayed in my bed for awhile to rest, and the nurses kept listening to my heart and listening to my breathing. They also put a little clip on my finger to test my oxygen level. (It didn’t hurt.) Every couple of hours I got another breathing treatment. I started to feel better and they let me go the Pavilion. The Pavilion is a huge room with lots of toys and games where the k ids come to play. They have a lot to do there. I watched the movie Matilda, played KidPix on the computer, played Uno, listened to the radio, and made sculptures out of clay! i played with other kids who were in the hospital. In the afternoon I got better and better so Dr. Jaudes said I needed to take a PFT test. I had to blow as hard as I could into a tube. I did well on the test and my asthma attack was over, so Dr. Jaudes said I could leave the hospital and continue on my journey. I said goodbye to the doctors and nurses and Child Life workers and volunteers, and I thanked everyone at La Rabida for taking such good care of me.

St. Jerome School
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
27 November 2000

Dear Journal,
Greetings from beautiful Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I almost thought I wouldn’t make it here on time. After I left Chicago on Tuesday (11/21). I spent the Thanksgiving weekend resting comfortably. I was due to arrive at St. Jerome School in Oconomowoc by 10:30 Monday morning (today). However, due to some unexpected delays, including UPS saying I was nowhere to be found; I arrived at SJS at 1:40 p.m., just in the nick of time for the children’s 1:45 p.m. assembly to welcome me. Phew!!! Oconomowoc is located in the heart of “Lake Country.” Potowatomi and Winnebago Indian tribes used this area in pre-colonial times for hunting and fishing. Trails were established later by traders. Two of them eventually became Hwy. 16 and Hwy. 67, which is today the heart of the city of Oconomowoc. The origin of the name Oconomowoc is not clearly known; although some say it means “a place where the river falls.” Whatever it’s true meaning, there are many beautiful lakes in this area. These lake shores provided land for many palatial homes to be built for people from Milwaukee, Chicago and as far away as St. Louis. many of Oconomowoc’s summer mansions are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As I said, I arrived Monday, just in time for the assembly, attended by Grades K-5. By the way, SJS is a Catholic School with an enrollment of 300 with grades K-8. The two third grade rooms, put on a skit, explaining all about me and why I am on this journey. It was delightful. After being viewed by students, teachers and parents, I spent the night very comfortable in the school’s showcase.

11-30-00
On Tuesday, many of the students came to see me. They were extremely polite and welcoming to me. Mrs. Lesczynski’s class let me watch them practice for their Christmas program in Music class. Oh, their parents will be so proud of all of them. Oh – Mrs. Lesczynski is one of the third grade teachers who hosted me at SJS. She has two daughters who wanted to meet me, so I got to go home with her and go to Hartford, WI, which is a bit Northeast of Oconomowoc. This little trip provided me with an opportunity to see the beautiful countryside around Oconomowoc. The Lesczynski’s were very hospitable to me while I was there overnight. On Wednesday, I was honored to attend morning Mass with all the SJS parents and children. There were so many people there! I got to sit at the front of the altar. The children’s singing and music to go with it is surely to be commended. Fr. John, their pastor, spoke of St. Andrew who spread the “Good News” in his travels and related it to my travels to hopefully spread goodwill. I was touched by his kind words. Also on Wednesday, I sat in on a 3rd grade Phy.Ed. class. Thank goodness I wasn’t asked to play “Battle Ball.” They got quite a work-out! On Thursday, both 3rd grade classes, Mrs. Lesczynski’s and Mrs. Benes’, had a “hot cocoa and cookie” gathering for me. That was so nice because they had just gotten some snow the day before. They presented me with my own personalized cocoa mug which I can’t wait to use on those chill Massachusetts nights when I return home! During the week First graders in Mrs. Wehner’s class made morse code messages and placed Miss Columbia in different cities around the U.S. They then had to decode the messages. Second graders in Mrs. Humphrey’s class did the “History Mystery” activity and paired up with a partner to describe dolls they brought in. Fifth graders in Mrs. Thiede’s class also did some activities and watched the movie “1900 House.” Along with my cocoa mug, I was presented with a Wisconsin Badger jogging suit. “Go Badgers” in the Sun Bowl!! i also received my own SJS school uniform like the girls wear here. It’s always nice to have a new outfit! I thoroughly enjoyed my week here in Oconomowoc at St. Jerome’s. What a warm, welcoming place! Now I’m off to Wausau!

St. Michael’s School
Wausau, Wisconsin
December 2000

Dear Journal,
I arrived at St. Michael School in Wausau, Wisconsin on Monday, December 4th, 2000. The fifth graders put on a skit when I got there. Each day I went to a different class. I helped fifth grade journal. In fourth grade the students did decoding and in third grade the children looked at the differences between Miss Columbia 2000 and myself. In second grade I baked with the children and in Kindergarten, preschool, and first grade the children learned about the history of Miss Columbia 2000 and myself. On Thursday I went to the students’ Christmas program and sat in the front row. They sang beautifully! On Friday, the students had a Bon Voyage party with treats and juice. It was really fun! I am very sad to leave St. Michael!

Vera Ralya Elementary School
Haslett, Michigan 48840
December 18, 2000

Dear Journal,
My goodness, I can’t remember the last time I have seen so much snow. I wasn’t sure I would ever arrive in Michigan, but other than being a little delayed due to the weather, I arrived here with no problems. I mentioned all of the snow first thing and the students here tell me that the weather man says there hasn’t been this much snow in December in Michigan since 1929. There is nearly two feet on the ground! Ms. Tegreeny, Ralya’s principal, unpacked me very carefully from my trunk just the minute I arrived and everyone was so gracious. However, just as soon as I thought I was getting my bearings she packed me back into the trunk. I was shocked and could not understand what was happening! Well, I have to say I was a bit embarrassed a while later when I was unpacked again before over 400 Ralya Roadrunners (that’s their mascot) and was the guest of honor for a terrific assembly. The children were all so polite and seemed to be very interested in me and my history. It was such a rewarding first day.

December 19, 2000
Today I was very pleased to have the opportunity to be part of Mrs. Jackson’s social studies classes. Over the course of the day I was able to visit with 66 fifth grade children and hear about their holiday preparations (they only have two days left of school before their holiday break) and I was able to share my journal, passport, and scrapbook album with all of them. They were very interested in my trip to the hospital a month ago and were glad to hear I had made a complete recovery! They also told me that they had made me a book that is all about Haslett Schools and the Haslett community. I plan to read it tonight once all of the children go home. I especially want to read about the S.T.A.R.S. because that is what this team of children call themselves, and they said I would have to read the book to find out what that stands for. I also visited the library today, the computer lab, and the art room. I had my picture taken in the basic classroom with six of the nicest boys and girls. They were thril led to hold me and all of them had such happy smiles for the picture. Two of Mrs. Jackson’s students took me to visit Mrs. Brandell’s second grade class. They were just setting up an old wringer washer. Boy, it has been such a long time since I have seen one of those! I couldn’t imagine what that was doing in a classroom.

December 20, 2000
Now I know what that wringer washer was all about. Today was “VINTAGE DAY” at Ralya! My how this day spurred on memories of my past. Each classroom had a different activity in it and all of the students were rotating around the school to all of the activities. There were old fashion toys in one room. What fun it was to play with them again and teach the children how to use them. In another room we actually made our own ball and cup game! The wringer washer I saw yesterday was set up in Mrs. Brandell’s room with all sorts of other tools and toys used 100 years ago like a yoke for carrying buckets of water, a washer board, a stereoscope, and so forth. I had to tell them that by 1900 stereoscopes were not as popular as they had been a few years earlier. I enjoyed seeing all of the old skins and furs in another room. I had to help the students figure out what some them were. They really had a hard time guessing them. We listened to one of the Ralya parents play a dulcimer. Oh it was so beautiful to hear. My favorite room was probably the “tasting room”. We tasted venison stew, rabbit stew, venison jerky, hunter’s sausage, corn muffins, cranberries, pumpkin pie, homemade butter (we had made that in another room), yummy jam, sweet potato casserole, and so on and so forth. I have to say I stuffed myself. I haven’t tasted such good eating in a LONG time! What a fun day this was! I’m sad to think that I will be leaving here tomorrow, but I look forward to caroling at the historical village in town in the morning.

December 21, 2000
I slept like a log last night after that wonderful tasting party yesterday. The teachers had holiday treats in the teacher’s lounge and I have to say I helped myself to some of those before going to bed. Today we went caroling at 10:00. The snow was so deep and the air was bitter cold, but I have to admit that it was the most perfect day for making me think of the holidays and everything I am thankful for. I am especially thankful for all of the wonderful children I have met so far on my journey. Each of my experiences have been unique and my memories are priceless! Thank you Ralya for a terrific visit.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!

Simpson Elementary School
Arnold, Missouri
January 16, 2001

Dear Journal,
Today was great! I arrived at Simpson Elementary in Arnold Missouri. They have over 800 students in grades K-6. Their school mascot is RAGS, the Golden Retriever. I was a little tired from my long journey. The children instantly cheered me up. During the school day I spent time in the school library. I spent 30 minutes with each class telling them about my journey. Do you know I’m a T.V. star? Channel 4 (CBS) and Channel 5 (NBC) came out and interviewed me, along with several of the newspapers. After school I went out to dinner at Lombardo’s, and went to the Fox C-6 School Board Meeting. It was a thrilling, but tiring day!

January 17, 2001
Dear Journal,
Today started with a welcoming skit over the school intercom. Each class seems so excited to meet me and learn about whree I’ve traveled.I went to the Arnold Rotary Meeting for lunch today. I was the guest speaker. Boy, I sure felt important! I love all the attention! A girl could get spoiled.

January 18, 2001
Dear Journal,
The morning started with another special program over the intercom. The Drama Club talked about different inventions over the last 100 years. I then spent the day doing what I do best, teaching students how our world has changed over the last 100 years. The cooks at Simpson Elementary serve the best food.I had breakfast and lunch there today. I noticed in the hallways there were paper dolls everywhere. Students made paper dolls to represent themselves. They did such a nice job!

January 19,2001
Dear Journal,
It’s not fair, My week is already up at Simpson Elementary. Boy, do they send you off in style here. First, the Simpson chorus sang songs over the intercom from the turn of the century. Next, Mrs. Furrer, one of the 3rd grade teachers wrote a poem (listed below) about me and read it over the intercom. Finally, the kindergartners had a farewell ceremony for me and presented me with a gift. It was a Bear with a Simpson Shirt on it. I haven’t been in Missouri in over a 100 years it was so nice to be back. I will miss all my new friends at Simpson Elementary.
(POEM)

A hundred years ago a little doll took a trip
Around the world she went, this doll was really hipNow a hundred years later
A new doll's in town
And Simpson Elementary
Will be showing her around.

Her name is Miss Columbia
She's been halfway through the states
She keeps a journal of her travels
She thinks traveling is great.

We're the only school in Missouri
That is hosting this cute gal
We'll do all kinds of fun stuff
And treat her like a pal.

We'll learn about geography
Math and writing too.
As history comes alive for us
Through two dolls, old and new.

Miss Columbia 

Valentine Elementary School
Valentine, Nebraska
Monday
January 29, 2001

Dear Journal,
At ten o’clock today, I arrived at Valentine Elementary School. Valentine is a beautiful city nestled in the Sandhills of north central Nebraska. About three hundred strdents were at school to greet me. I heard the students brainstorming the many, varied, and unusual things that represent the community of Valentine and the state of Nebraska. It seems like a wonderful place to be as they listed cattle, windmills, waterfalls, Husker football, Valentine’s Day cards, ice skating, fishing, quilts…ooh, it sounds so fun and cozy! Fun and cozy it is! Students designed paper doll friends for me and had a multitude of other dolls with whom I could visit, including dolls from an International Barbie collection and a collection of First Lady dolls dressed in inaugural gowns. There was a doll who came all the way from Vietnam and one that was over seventy years old! I am in fabulous company!

Tuesday
January 30, 2001
The sun is up and it seems like it should be time for students to be arriving, but it is still very quiet. Oh, dear! Outside the school are snow drifts and more snow is falling and blowing; no wonder the students aren’t here. At nine-thirty one of the teachers and three students came to take us on an outing. We drove down the snow-packed street of the city to the KVSH Radio Station where we were the stars of the Comment Program. The disc jockey wanted to know all about our trip. The students helped tell the public of our journey and the purpose of our travels. It was an educational experience for me. I’m glad we were able to make it out on such a dreary day.

Wednesday
January 31, 2001
It’s still very cold here in Valentine. The students are all coming to school very excited because they got the day off yesterday due to the snowstrom. Another reason they are very excited is because they are celebrating the century today through a living time line. The fifth grade class worked all last week to bring important historical events of the twentieth century to life. I really enjoyed this because I got to meet people like Orville and Wilbur Wright, President Eisenhower, and even Elvis- He is alive! The whole school got to tour the time live just like I did and ask questions of the students, they did such a great job, and I learned so much. Thanks, fifth graders!

Thursday
February 1, 2001
The Valentine Rotary Club held their weekly meeting today, and I was asked to do the program. In front of a crowd of about thirty-five people, I once again told about my travels, and Miss Columbia 1900 told of hers. Three students came along to tell about everything going on at Valentine Elementary School this week because of my visit there. We had a delicious meal and after our presentation, had our picture taken with the Rotary Club President. After dinner, we came back to the school where we watched the students’ gymnastics program. They did everything from somersaults and cartwheels to the parallel bars. They are so agile; two of the girls even did the splits! What a busy and fun day it’s been!

Monroe Elementary School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Monday
February 5, 2001

Dear Journal,
At ten o’clock today I arrived safely at James Monroe Elementary School, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma via UPS. It is a cool sunny day. It is chilly outside, but warmer than it is in Nebraska. Mrs. Aberson, my host teacher, and Mrs. Goodwin, a fourth grade teacher, immediately unpacked me. They were admiring me and showing me to all the other teachers. I enjoyed all the attention and all the compliments after my long voyage from Nebraska. I was then placed in a glass display case along with my map. It was almost noon and still not a single child in sight! I was very worried. Then I discovered that today was parent-teacher conference day. Phew…I thought the students were gone forever. I was lonely until Mrs.Aberson showed me the art corner. Oh my! There on display were dozens and dozens of paper dolls all dressed up in colorful outfits. The dolls were from every class and were made in honor of my visit. I feel very honored,and I am looking forward to learning who the winners are and having those dolls join me at my home in Wenham when I return from this trip. Mrs. Aberson also showed me a copy of a newpaper called Oklahoma Studies Weekly. I was wondering why she was showing me this newpaper. I looked at the front page and there was a large article about me. It was all about my visit to Oklahoma. It told about my journey around the world in 1900. I learned that Oklahoma wasn’t even a state in 1900. It was called Oklahma Territory and Indian Territory. Boy, I am old. Mrs. Aberson put me back in my display case and told me that I would have a lot of company tomorrow and that I should get a good night’s sleep. I was tired,but I was too excited to sleep.

Wednesday
February 7, 2001
Today I took part in Farah Shaukat’s report on her great grandmother, Aline Patterson, who is 93 years old. Mrs.Patterson was born just thirteen days before Oklahoma became a state in 1907. She grew up on a farm where they grew most of their own food, and they had very little money. They did not have electricity or indoor plumbing. Mrs. Patterson helped her family by doing chores in the house and working in the fields. She only had a 6th grade education. The class compared and contrasted Farah’s great grandmother’s life with their lives today. Then the students did a history mystery game by dividing into teams and trying to guess items would and would not have been invented in 1900. Around 2:30 this afternoon Ms. Lawson, Monroe’s principal, and young Brandon Cameron drove me to the Administration Building down south in Ms. Lawson’s red car. I was introduced to the Superintendent of OKC Public Schools, Dr.Sconzo. I also met Dr. Toure, the Director of Elementary Schools for OKC. Brandon explained that I was making this second journey around the world to celebrate a century of change. He also explained how Monroe’s fifth graders were researching changes in Oklahoma andOklahoma City over the past one hundred years. Brandon described the fifth graders’ trip last week to a home called the Overholser Mansion. I wondered why he mentioned that place, and he told me that I would find out more about this house tomorrow. Now he has aroused my curiousity. I am eagerly looking forward to Thursday.

Southern Ute Indian Academy
Ignacio, Colorado
Tuesday
March 6, 2001

Dear Journal,
Today was such an exciting day! I arrived in Ignacio, Colorado. I have not been here since my original journey in 1900. After arriving, I remembered that Ignacio was established in the 1870’s at the Southern end of the Pine River Valley in beautiful Southwest Colorado and was named after a Ute Indian Chief. The Ute Indians are the oldest continuous residents of Colorado and Ignacio is the home of their reservation and a major part of their community. I will be staying at the Southern Ute Indian Academy. This is the Academy’s first year. It is a Montessori school offering education from birth through age 9. It is owned and operated by the Southern Ute tribe. I was welcomed to the school by the children with an assembly in the dining hall. They were all very excited to meet me as they had heard from their teachers that I had been in the community 100 years ago. I am looking forward to spending the next three days here and getting to know the children.

Wednesday
March 7, 2001
I had another fun day with the children at the Southern Ute Indian Academy. I went on a field trip with them to the Education Center to a workshop called “The Little Shop of Physics”. It was so much fun! There were two rooms filled with experiments for the children to explore. We had fun exploring electricity, motion, sound, microwaves, lasers, along with much more. The most exciting part was when we made a human circuit and a current of electricity traveled through all of us. What a shock we all felt! I am also learning how to do bead work. The Elementary children are learning to bead their own designs and turn them into barrettes, bracelets and key chains in their Ute Language and Culture class. The Utes are famous for their gorgeous beadwork. I wish I had time to stay and complete a design of my own.

Thursday
March 8, 2001
Today I woke up and saw that it had snowed several inches during the night. What a gorgeous sight. The children were excited and so was I. I have had several visitors today. The classes have been coming to see me and read about my past adventures in my journal. They have been very interested to see where I have been and everything I have done. A troup of girl scouts came to see me today also. We had a great time, although I wish they would have left a box of those delicious Girl Scout Cookies with me. I have been learning more about Montessori Education also while I have been here. It is so interesting to see the children working at their own pace on such beautiful materials. There are four educational levels in which students are grouped by age, with no traditional grades. Each educational level at the Academy had a name given by the tribal elders. Each name is directly related to the level and its stage of learning: Atukach, Ute for Grasshopper – for the infants and toddlers because they are small and always moving. Pawaa, Ute for Bald Eagle – for the 3 to 6 year olds, because they are very sharp-eyed, with nothing escaping their attention. Kuch, Ute for Buffalo – for the 6-9 year olds, because they are strong and steady. In the dining hall, each student is a Paa’at, Ute for Raven, because they are ready to eat anything and everything. Even the administration and faculty have a Ute name describing their fierce protectiveness of their young – Tuk, for Mountain Lion.

Friday
March 9, 2001
Maiku tuguvun, Hello (how are you)my friend,
I have come to the end of my stay with the children at the Southern Ute Indian Academy. After a walking field trip to a Nutrition Fair where we learned about good food choices, we returned for a delicious lunch of spaghetti. Then I sadly needed to pack my things and prepare for my next journey. I can truly say I will miss my time spent in beautiful Igancio, Colorado. Tavuchu tugwaiyak’. Thank you very much for a wonderful time and I hope to return to Ignacio again.

Dear Journal,
I have just completed my four day stay with the children of the Southern Ute Indian Academy in beautiful Ignacio, Colorado. During the time I spent there, I was treated to a welcoming assembly, two field trips, and many visitors. I even met a direct descendent of my 1900 host family, the family of Chief Sevara. The school I visited is a brand new Montessori School owned and operated by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

Girl Scout Troup 1016
Ignacio, Colorado
March 8, 2001

Dear Journal,
Today I met with Girl Scout Troop 1016, in Ignacio, Colorado, USA. They told me about having been a troop since 1995. The names of my new friends are: Tesia, Jody, Brenna, Amy, Jeana, Beth, Jentrie, Sherisa, Emily, Savannah, Jenn, Lizzy, Pearl, and Michelle. Their leaders are Jennifer and Patsy. They shared with me some of the challenges and rewards of living in rural America within a tri-ethnic, Anglo, Hispanic, Native American, community. I learned that they enjoy various hobbies such as; reading Harry Potter books, horseback riding, snow skiing, bike riding, playing games on home computers, and listening to music by artists such as Brittney Spears and George Strait on CD. I found out that they are interested in different world cultures and in traveling around to other countries. They wanted to know if I had ever been to any of the Girl Scout World Centers, and how many girl scout troops I had met. The girls presented me with my very own hand-made Junior Girl Scout sash. I am now an honorary m ember of Troop 1016.

I shared excerpts from the original journal of my travels. I pointed out how much the world has changed since I came through here in 1900. The clothing styles and what women are now allowed to wear is very much different from my original outfits. My means of transportation have changed from steam engines and horses to car, jets and ocean liners. Computers were unheard of in 1900, and now most of the girls have a home computer and a cell phone. I also showed them some of my souvenirs and maps from the places I have been.
I really look forward to some day returning to this beautiful part of the world and meeting descendants of these wonderful girls. I can’t wait to see what amazing changes will have come about. Maybe I will have my own spaceship to travel in.!

University of Northern Colorado Lab School
Greeley, Colorado
March 12, 2001

Dear Journal,
I arrived at the University of Northern Colorado Lab School. It was a sunny day with a light breeze. i was greeted by the smiling faces of the students in Pat Heino’s third and fourth grade class. I was suprised to learn that all the students called her Pat instead of Ms. Heino. The students crouded around me and Miss Columbia, 1900. The students took off my backpack and looked at what was inside. They said I must be a pretty good student. They also said I was pretty. They looked at our clothes and shoes and compared them. Then we had a picture taken with the whole class. After we had our picture taken I watched the students study my passport book journal, photo album, and maps. Then we met two high school students who escorted us to a glass case near the library so other students in the school can see both of us.

March 14, 2001
Yesterday, Miss Columbia 1900 and i spent the day resting in a display case near the library. We chatted with some paper dolls that the students made to welcome us. Lots of kids came by to say hello. today, I went to the kindergarten room. Their teacher, Mrs. Riggs, read part of my journal to them. The kindergarten class has a large carpet map of the United States. They stood on all the states that I have been to. They looked at me with eyes as big and shiny as gold buttons.

March 16, 2001
Yesterday a reporter and a photographer from the Greeley Tribune came and took pictures of me and Miss Columbia 1900, and the students. The reported was interested in the history of our trips and also what the students had learned. The students held a reception for us last night at the school. Parents, brothers, and sisters came to see us. I lost count at fifty people. The students put on a skit about what was happening in the early 1900’s. I really loved watching their performance. The audience must have too because they sure did applaud long and loud. After the performance the people enjoyed some refreshments and looked at the exhibit. I stuffed myself with so many cookies I can hardly walk today. I will miss all of the students but have many happy memories. I wish I could stay, but I have to go on to Arizona.

lura kinsey
flagstaff, Arizona
March 19, 2001

With a thrilling ride from Mr. Ramirez (fourth grade teacher) in his bright red 1960 Chevy Impala, I arrived at Lura Kinsey Elementary School in Flagstaff, Arizona. A special welcoming assembly was held for me. 540 children from Kinsey participated and the crowd included the City of Flagstaff Mayor Joe Donaldson. After the assembly I went to visit the world famous Lowell Observatory. The Planet Pluto was discovered here in 1930 by Dr. Clyde Tombaugh.

March 20, 2001
I awoke feeling great though I had been warned of possible side effects from the high altitude. Flagstaff is nearly 7,000 feet high. In fact World Class Olympic athletes train here at the High Altitude Training Center. I was later to see the Chinese Olympic Swim team train at the Northern Arizona University Natatorium. My host Mrs. Aldworth (fifth grade teacher) took me to meet and spend some time with Mrs. Rice and her third graders. I joined a large collection of Mrs. Rice’s dolls and we had a great time catching up on doll talk. I went to many classrooms so they could view us and get a bit of information. This afternoon Ms. Wilcox from the Pioneer Museum came to do a presentation for several classes. I found out so many things about Flagstaff 100 years ago and today. The City of Flagstaff was founded in 1882 and it’s chief industry was logging. Flagstaff sits in the middle of the world’s largest stand of Ponderosa Pines. The population today is around 50,000 people. The average snowfall is about 100 feet! I was told just a week ago Kinsey School had a two hour snow delay. I had pictures taken with Mrs. Hazelton’s first grade class and Mr. Rice’s fifth graders. Both classes had created very special dolls for my visit. Whew! Quite a busy day!

March 21, 2001
Today was off to a brisk pace with many classes visiting me in Mrs. Aldworth’s class. All the children seem to enjoy the information given about me. Mrs. White’s sixth graders made my 1900 voyage timeline to display in the hallway. I was also able to see the annual science fair. This afternoon I went 80 miles to see the Grand Canyon. No wonder it’s named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was absolutely breathtaking! Miss Columbia 2000 and I joked about what a long fall it would be, but we were in very protective care.

March 22, 2001
Again I was involved in many class presentations and also posed for pictures with the beautiful San Francisco Peaks, the tallest being 12,000 feet. I went to a nearby school, Manuel DeMiguel Elementary. I was the special guest for Mrs. Larson’s fourth grade and Mrs. Whistler’s second grade. My host told me that when she found out about my visit one year ago her children begged that I come to their school too!

March 23, 2001
The announcements today included some Ragtime music in honor of my visit. My last morning here was spent with a few more classes and much picture taking. Everyone was so nice to me and I really enjoyed this little mountain town! It’s time to pack up for Casa Grande, Arizona where I hear it’s very warm. Mr. Leroy Shingoitewa, Kinsey School Principal says in Hopi “Um Hu-li-quang ang wy-num nee.” “Be happy on your journey!” He hopes to visit the Wenham museum this summer.

La Jolla Country Day School
La Jolla, California
April 17, 2001

I just arrived at La Jolla Country Day School in La Jolla, California. It’s really part of San Diego. I was so relieved when the trunk was opened and Mrs. Hamilton, the director of the lower school and Mrs. Brown, a fourth grade teacher, took me out. Mrs. Brown took me to her class to meet the children. They were so happy to see me! Miss Columbia 1900 and I got to stay for lunch but then went to the library where we were on display. Tuesday evening there was a viewing for anyone in San Diego who wanted to come. The artist who made the replica of Miss Columbia 1900, Connie Tagnoli came to meet us!

April 18, 2001
Another busy day! Miss 1900 and I went to a school assembly and were the main attraction. Mrs. Brown’s class had been doing research about the differences between what things were like in 1900 and what things are like now and gave a presentation. After the assembly we were put in a window and so many children came to look at me.

April 19, 2001
Thursday afternoon the fourth grade girls had a tea party for me. They each brought a doll to the party. Each girl wore a pretty dress, ate cucumber tea sandwiches, and drank tea.

April 20, 2001
I can’t imagine leaving this dear school. I will leave treasuring the moments spent with these boys and girls.