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Shelburne Falls, Mass Birds-Eye View
Electric Car Bridge over Deerfield River, Shelburne Falls, Mass.
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Summary and Objective
Students will understand that as history evolves, so do our local sites. Students will analyze several artifacts concerning what is now known as "The Bridge of Flowers" in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Students will discuss the area before the bridge, the construction of the bridge, its original purpose, and how and why it is now the Bridge of Flowers.
The structure of this lesson can be tailored to fit other sites of importance.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Print out several copies of both pictures to distribute. On a large sheet of paper make five large connecting squares with room to write underneath. Make a copy of this sheet for each student.
Step 2.
Have the class look at the "Shelburne Falls, Mass Bird's Eye View" picture without saying the actual title. Tell the class that this is a picture from 1877 of an area that we all know. See if anyone is able to identify the area. Talk about how you are able to identify that it is Shelburne Falls and ask if there is anything missing... The Bridge of Flowers.
Step 3.
Brainstorm questions about the Bridge of Flowers. Questions may include: When was the Bridge of Flowers built? Why was it built? What was it used for? Was it made to be used as a garden? Why wasn't the Bridge of Flowers in the 1877 picture? Once a good list of questions is generated tell that class that they will try to find out the answers to those questions. You may also use a K-W-L chart.
Step 4.
Look at the picture of the Electric Car Bridge (Bridge of Flowers). Ask students to note the date. Read on as a class to learn more about the history of the Bridge of Flowers. As you find out more answers, go back to the brainstormed questions and highlight that you have answered a particular question. You may want to look up more information on the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum website.
Step 5.
Take time to discuss why the bridge was built, what it was used for, and why, in 1923, it no longer had a purpose. Talk about its use now. Also discuss what the bridge's importance was in the early 1900s. What is the bridge's importance now?
Step 6.
Have students draw five pictures of the evolution of the Bridge of Flowers: before 1908, during construction, during the use of cable cars, 1923 (the bridge no longer in service), 1926-present. Under each picture there should be a date and a description of the bridge at that time.
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