7th grade students at South Middle School attended the Purple Heart Museum and the New Windsor Cantonment on May 30th as part of their social studies education, having studied the first half of US History this year. The students were treated to several presentations at the Contonment. The first one was a presentation of what medicine was like during the Revolutionary War and what soldiers could have expected in the event that they were injured or became sick. There were a series of instruments they presented to us for these procedures, including amputation. 

Another presentation was given on what was entailed for the soldiers under George Washington's command who were encamped at the Contonment to build the various buildings. The demonstration showed how long and the process of making the nails needed to build the buildings was. The presenter actually made a nail that we were able to bring back to the school with us.

At the Purple Heart Museum, the students were treated to a demonstration about the branches of the military and their uniforms throughout the different wars in US history. Students were able to get hands-on and try on uniforms and headgear that went with the uniforms. When that presentation was completed, students were given a scavenger hunt sheet for the museum where they explored the various displays and answered questions about what they found. 

 

Story and photos provided by: Mrs. Ariane Siimard-Moore.