This project was begun in the mid 1970's as a comparative history of the use of energy. The project was revived with a curriculum grant from the 1993-94 Escambia County Florida Schoolboard. Much of the text and drawings were in place, it was just a matter of fitting the information into the appropriate area of the curriculum.

The booklet is presented with the hope that it will provide Fourth Grade Teachers with the information necessary to help in their delivery of Florida History and in particular Northwest Florida History. Much of the information in the appendix was gleaned from many different sources. It is provided to give teachers and students insight into the daily lives of the actual participants who carved out a living in the Northwest Florida area. The information was made possible by Mr. Roy Hyatt, founder and former Director of the Environmental Studies Center of the School Boad of Escambia County, and is copyrighted by him and used with his permission. The information concerning Perdido Key was provided by Mr. Baker Holman and is also copyrighted by him and used with his permission.

With the development and construction of the 1890's schoolhouse and dog-trot farmhouse, the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center can now offer participation field trips to fourth grade students and teachers concerning their Northwest Florida heritage.

Some of the activities include:

Smelling and tasting of kitchen garden vegetables and herbs

Hand pumping water from a water well

Dog-trot farmhouse chores 1890's style

Schooling and recessing 1890's style

Touring the dog-trot farmhouse

Candle dipping