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TAYLOR #4 COUNTRY SCHOOL
The original Taylor Country School was built around 1877 as one of many one-room schools throughout the county. The original structure, located about 4 miles north of Marshalltown, was destroyed by fire in 1910. The school was rebuilt in 1911 and continued in use until it was closed in 1955. As was typical with Iowa's country schools, Taylor #4 (also known as the Wetherbee School) held classes for all eight primary grades in all subjects. Drinking water was hauled in buckets by children from the nearest farm until a covered cooler was added. Starting in 1920, hot lunches were provided, cooked by a different family each day. Kerosene lanterns and lamps were used for lighting until electricity was added in 1940, and in 1950 a telephone was installed. In 1955, the building was turned over to the Historical Society of Marshall County and became a museum. It was moved to its present location south of the Glick-Sower House in 1967.
Visiting the Taylor #4 School.
The Taylor #4 School today depicts a one-room country school of the early 20th century furnished with equipment and fixtures from a number of Marshall County schools. It is available to tour by appointment through the Historical Society of Marshall County. Of particular interest for school tour groups are "School Days" visits where classes (of up to 25 students) may spend the whole day at the one-room school experiencing a "full immersion" history lesson in what it was like to learn in a one room school.
Participants in the 2003 Youth ChautauquaIn the summer of 2003 the HSMC along with Marshalltown Parks & Recreation, the Marshalltown Y, the Marshalltown City Library, and other organizations held the first "Youth Chautauqua", a week-long history camp for children in grades 4 through 8.
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