NSTOY Teacher Showcase -
Kathy Weber & The 1820 Colonel
Benjamin Stephenson House
Kathleen Renfro Weber was chosen Illinois Teacher of the Year in 1984, and received the Milken Excellence in Education Award in 1997. She helped charter Illinois with the National State Teachers of the Year and later served as its national president from 1996 to 1998. Kathy taught in Edwardsville, Illinois as a primary specialist. She has a BS in Elementary Education and a MS in Early Childhood. She has presented workshops using her some 400 puppets and special learning games across the country with the NSTOY Conferences and the International Kappa Delta Pi Convocations. In 1996 she designed and now teaches a college course called Puppets in the Classroom. During her teaching career of 37 years she has engaged her students by bringing in her collections, dressing up in historic garb, and transforming her classroom to resemble natural environments or historic places.
Kathy and her family have traveled extensively and have always brought back artifacts and photos. Her husband, Joe, was the Head of the Art Education Department at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. They have two children. Kristin is married to Todd Schrewe and they have new baby, Brayden, born June 20, 2007. Neal is a graduating senior from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in Psychology.
Their love of history has brought them together with the community to assist in the restoration of an 1820 brick home in Edwardsville. They have been involved with this historic project for the last eight years. Kathy and Joe have initiated an educational program unlike any in the area. Now that Kathy is retired, she can be a docent at the house with friends as hundreds and hundreds of students and families come to tour and experience the many offerings at the Stephenson House.
Please join her and the Friends of the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House at their website www.stephensonhouse.com or send her a message at kwpuppets@hotmail.com.
The Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House is an important landmark that links the early history of Edwardsville Illinois to the earliest days of the Illinois Territory circa 1809 and the establishment of Edwardsville as the center of government and commerce in 1812. It serves as a connection between the Territorial Governor Ninian Edward, appointed by President James Madison Colonel Benjamin Stephenson and the State of Illinois.
Built in 1820, this two-story brick home, constructed in the Federal style, is an excellent example of architecture from this early period. Each of the four rooms has original millwork; and four of the original mantels designed in the Adams and Federal style remain. The home was built by local craftsmen and Stephenson's indentured servants. It is estimated that 400,000 brick were fired on site for the house and out buildings.
History of the Benjamin Stephenson House Restoration Project
This home is on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered the oldest brick home in the county. According to the Illinois State Historic Preservation Agency, it is one of only a handful of this period still remaining in the State. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places not only because it is a fine example of early Federal-style architecture, but also because it was the gathering place for many of Illinois' early political leaders.
In 1999, the City of Edwardsville, with a $500,000 grant from the State of Illinois, and under the supervision of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission, purchased the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House and started its restoration. The restored home is a timeless community treasure, enriching the lives of present and future generations. It will give a real-life glimpse into the political, social, and cultural aspects of this era.
Visitors may be surprised to learn that Edwardsville was the hub of the state when it was still a territory. Even more interesting, is the fact that many of the community's early settlers held high positions in the Federal Government, and their decisions, often discussed in the Stephenson house, helped shaped our history.
The Stephenson House Education Program was created by teachers using the National Trust for Historic Preservation guidelines and has been linked to the Illinois State Learning Standards. It was the aim of the program to have each grade level experience different topics when they visited the house. When they schedule a field trip trunks are delivered to the classes by costumed docents. These trunks contain a teacher's manual outlining pre-visit activities, on-site events, and post-activities. Many authentic artifacts and resource books for children are included. Hands-on-materials for use in the classroom, prior to their visit to the house are in the trunk. Joe and Kathy Weber have headed the Education Committee since 2001 along with eighteen additional teachers. There are 5 period appropriate trunks for each grade level from kindergarten to seventh grade. Additional educational materials have been designed for high school and college students. In 2004 a video was produced on site to be used as an orientation for all visitors to view before touring the site. Educational docents are dressed in period garb and serve as the on site teacher. There are many opportunities for students to see, touch, smell, hear and taste the era is the goal of the on site visit. Students can help make the bread, churn the butter, try on the children's clothing, write with a quill pen and help wash the clothes. The education docents have been trained by the education committee and have a strong understanding of the concepts for each grade level. This is only the second year open for school tours but over 2000 students have visited the house to date. Kathy Weber, IL TOY'84, has retired from teaching and is a full time docent. Her husband Joe is Vice President of the Friends of Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House and a docent as well.
The education program has been asked to give presentations at various teachers' institutes and is offering graduate level course work using this model to teachers through the School of Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
For more information you can also visit The Stephenson House Website.
|
