Hidden for 150 years: Love notes and doodles discovered under a school floor!
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Step into a time machine with us at The GrayVine, as we uncover a treasure trove of teenage whispers and sketches from a bygone era.
It's a story that bridges the gap between the ink-stained love letters of yesteryear and the fleeting digital messages of today.
Imagine the surprise and delight of preservation contractor Lee Hoagland as he peeled back the layers of history beneath the University of Southern Maine’s Academy Building, only to find a collection of 150-year-old secrets hidden between the floorboards.
The Academy Building, constructed in 1806, has stood the test of time, witnessing generations of students pass through its halls.
But it was during a 2022 renovation that these echoes of the past were finally brought to light.
The discovery included tender love notes exchanged between students, who at the time attended what was a private preparatory school for the children of the upper class, aged 10 to 17.
One note, brimming with the innocence of young love, beckoned, “Ada, wouldn’t you like to swing after school? I will stop if you will. Will you? Write and say!”
Another incomplete message left us hanging with, “My darling, why did…”
These fragments of affection offer a glimpse into the simple yet profound connections that formed in the schoolyard of yesteryear.
Belle Worcester, a name that appears multiple times in the notes, seemed to be quite the figure among her peers.
One note fondly recalls, “We had a splendid time last night, for Belle and I passed notes. We didn’t pass many though, for Mr. Lord was right behind us.”
These snippets of conversation reveal the timeless nature of teenage camaraderie and courtship.
But it wasn't all romance and roses.
The students of the past, much like those of today, couldn't resist the urge to doodle and vent their frustrations.
Among the love letters, Hoagland unearthed math equations, English conjugations, and penmanship exercises—evidence of the academic rigor that filled their days.
Yet, interspersed with their studies were expletives and insults directed at their teachers, proving that the rebellious spirit of adolescence is nothing new.
One particularly striking find was a crudely drawn caricature of a teacher, Ms. Stevens, with exaggerated features.
Historian Libby Bischof from USM reflected on this discovery, noting the significance of such a personal and candid artifact.
In an age where our communications are increasingly ephemeral, captured in texts and digital media that disappear as quickly as they appear, these tangible remnants of the past are all the more precious.
As Bischof lamented, the digital era may not leave behind such physical evidence for future generations to find and ponder.
The papers, now in the care of USM’s Department of Art, are set to be archived in the school’s Special Collections, ensuring that these voices from the past will continue to be heard.
They stand as a testament to the enduring nature of human expression, love, and humor.
What stories will the hidden corners of our world reveal about us 150 years from now? How will future historians piece together the narrative of our lives? And what can we do to ensure that our own personal histories are preserved for those who come after us?
Share your musings in the comments below, and let's continue to celebrate the richness of our shared human experience, whether it's etched in ink or pixels.
It's a story that bridges the gap between the ink-stained love letters of yesteryear and the fleeting digital messages of today.
Imagine the surprise and delight of preservation contractor Lee Hoagland as he peeled back the layers of history beneath the University of Southern Maine’s Academy Building, only to find a collection of 150-year-old secrets hidden between the floorboards.
The Academy Building, constructed in 1806, has stood the test of time, witnessing generations of students pass through its halls.
But it was during a 2022 renovation that these echoes of the past were finally brought to light.
The discovery included tender love notes exchanged between students, who at the time attended what was a private preparatory school for the children of the upper class, aged 10 to 17.
150-year-old love notes and other documents have been discovered in the floorboards of the University of Southern Maine’s Academy Building. Image source: University of Southern Maine Office of Public Affairs/New York Post.
One note, brimming with the innocence of young love, beckoned, “Ada, wouldn’t you like to swing after school? I will stop if you will. Will you? Write and say!”
Another incomplete message left us hanging with, “My darling, why did…”
These fragments of affection offer a glimpse into the simple yet profound connections that formed in the schoolyard of yesteryear.
Belle Worcester, a name that appears multiple times in the notes, seemed to be quite the figure among her peers.
One note fondly recalls, “We had a splendid time last night, for Belle and I passed notes. We didn’t pass many though, for Mr. Lord was right behind us.”
These snippets of conversation reveal the timeless nature of teenage camaraderie and courtship.
But it wasn't all romance and roses.
The students of the past, much like those of today, couldn't resist the urge to doodle and vent their frustrations.
Among the love letters, Hoagland unearthed math equations, English conjugations, and penmanship exercises—evidence of the academic rigor that filled their days.
Yet, interspersed with their studies were expletives and insults directed at their teachers, proving that the rebellious spirit of adolescence is nothing new.
One particularly striking find was a crudely drawn caricature of a teacher, Ms. Stevens, with exaggerated features.
Historian Libby Bischof from USM reflected on this discovery, noting the significance of such a personal and candid artifact.
In an age where our communications are increasingly ephemeral, captured in texts and digital media that disappear as quickly as they appear, these tangible remnants of the past are all the more precious.
As Bischof lamented, the digital era may not leave behind such physical evidence for future generations to find and ponder.
The papers, now in the care of USM’s Department of Art, are set to be archived in the school’s Special Collections, ensuring that these voices from the past will continue to be heard.
They stand as a testament to the enduring nature of human expression, love, and humor.
Share your musings in the comments below, and let's continue to celebrate the richness of our shared human experience, whether it's etched in ink or pixels.
