06/17/2026
The first modern air conditioning unit was invented in 1902, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that the general public were regularly treated to this “cool” new invention - when movie theaters developed the technology needed for patrons to watch the silver screen in relative comfort.
By this time, the Clara Barton schoolhouse was no longer in use and so it will come as no surprise that we’re not set up there to manage the high temperatures that hit last week. Undeterred, Bordentown Historical Society co-President Bonnie Goldman still managed to speak to around 150 second graders from 6 different classes - with a few adaptations!
First, Bonnie swapped the more traditional Victorian outfits for a cooler World War II Red Cross volunteer uniform - topped off with a vintage Red Cross wool hat bearing a Red Cross pin, donated by the family of Pauline Brakeley of Bordentown.
Then she kept her chats about Clara and her accomplishments to just 10 minutes each - some of which took place outside in the hope of better air circulation - before returning to the Clara Barton Elementary School to talk about Clara and the American Red Cross in the comfort of modern AC!
Finally, to leave everyone on a “high note”, Bonnie dug into her own personal history and played a tune on her little lady Hohner Harmonica. At just 1 inch long this really is a little lady, and has been cared for by Bonnie since she won it aged 12 at 4-H camp - when she was rose to the challenge of becoming the best player after a week of camp.
Not only did the short musical performance engage the students, it was proof that with the right inspiration you can achieve a lot. Whether it is on the international level, like Clara, or the more personal level, like 12 year old Bonnie - and we can’t wait to see what the history books (or maybe history websites!) will tell us about what this group of 7 and 8 year olds achieve in the future!
Got your own story of being inspired by a teacher? We’d love to hear it!
