Dressing for Survival

A group next to a building in winter.

Winter school days required heavy, practical clothing to withstand the harsh conditions. As Andy Anderson recalled, “Most of the time we wore corduroy trousers, wool shirts, German socks. You wore boots most of the time and you would save a mutton tallow and put it down the crevices of your boots so the snow wouldn’t leak through, to keep your feet dry. And a heavy coat.”[1] 

Even with the freezing temperatures, children made the difficult journey to school, knowing how important their education was. Teachers understood the challenges their students faced and often started the day by letting them warm up near the classroom stove before beginning lessons. The schoolhouse became more than just a place for learning—it was also a place of warmth and comfort, offering students a break from the cold and the hard work of farm life.