Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Upper St. Clair School District

Logo Title

Photo Gallery: Third graders visit Gilfillan Farm

All 332 Upper St. Clair third graders recently had the opportunity to experience a day of learning at the historic Gilfillan Farm, the last operational farm in the Upper St. Clair community. The event was led by Pam Petrarca, Eisenhower teacher and elementary social studies curriculum leader, and Rachel Carlson, Historical Society of Upper St. Clair president. 

“Margaret Gilfillan left the farm to the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair to operate a working farm to educate the public as to life on a traditional farm in Pennsylvania and to be utilized as a historical, cultural or educational center and landmark, reflecting in whole or in part the past usage of the property by the Gilfillan family,” Ms. Carlson said. “This third-grade field trip partnership with the Upper St. Clair School District was an exciting way to fulfill that mission given to us by Margaret.”

Dr. Tim Wagner, Upper St. Clair High School principal and director of education for the Historical Society, helped to facilitate the partnership between the schools and Gilfillan Farm.

“Tim Wagner had mentioned the idea to me a few years ago and this summer a group of third-grade teachers signed up for a summer project I offered to design the trip,” Ms. Petrarca said. “We visited Gilfillan in June and started to develop the trip from there.”

Over a three-day period, each of the district’s three elementary schools traveled to nearby Gilfillan Farm. Students participated in five experiential learning activities before having a picnic lunch in the field.  

“The trip corresponds to our History of Pittsburgh social studies unit, which is taught by all third-grade teachers,” Ms. Petrarca said. “What an incredible resource we have right in our backyard!”

The third-grade students rotated through five learning stations: a house tour, a simulated school, farming, a tour of the outbuildings (springhouse, smokehouse, outhouse, and the summer kitchen), and recess, where students learned and played games children would have played in the 1800s. 

“The goal of the trip was to show students what life was like for adults and children living in Pittsburgh in the late 1800s - early 1900s, and we definitely accomplished our goal,” Ms. Petrarca said. “By all accounts, the trip was a huge success. The students learned so much and were really interested in each station.”

The learning stations were facilitated by Upper St. Clair High School students from Interact, National Honor Society, and/or Student Council.

“I love that this field trip could be formatted much like the one room schoolhouses of the 1800s, where older students were able to become leaders by helping the younger students to learn,” Ms. Carlson said.

In addition to Dr. Wagner, members of the high school faculty and staff assisted in recruiting and supervising the team of high school volunteers. Laura Carlino, science teacher and Interact sponsor; Lexi Surunis, English teacher and National Honor Society sponsor; and Brooke Tarcson, Student Council sponsor and head of student activities accompanied high school students each of the three days.

“The ‘big kids’ really appeared to enjoy their time serving our elementary students in a meaningful way,” Dr. Wagner said. “It was a real treat to be part of a team that brought this third grade/high school experience alive. It's gratifying for students to know that this well-preserved 1800s working farm is just across the street from Target!”

As a mom to two Upper St. Clair students, Ms. Carlson believes that Gilfillan Farm provides students with perspective.

“There was a time when ice didn't just drop out of the freezer door but was delivered every day; there was no indoor plumbing and you had to go outside to get to the bathroom; everyone didn't have a water bottle and it was a privilege to be the student to bring water from a well for the classroom,” Ms. Carlson said. “Without a gaming system, you could have fun with a piece of wood tied to a string.”

Throughout the years, several individual teachers and classes have visited the farm for different projects. However, this is the first time in several years that an entire graduating year has visited at one time.

“We are excited that Gilfillan Farm can provide a local and unique atmosphere to learn about history with the personal touch of hearing about how the Gilfillans experienced life,” Ms. Carlson said. “I hope it makes it memorable for students and that as they pass by Gilfillan Farm, they will remember some of the things they learned to share with their family.”

The image shows two young girls, one wearing a green jacket and the other a pink jacket, kneeling on the ground and digging in the soil, surrounded by a grassy outdoor environment.
A young woman in a colorful, tie-dye dress stands in a grassy field surrounded by trees and a fence in the background.
A young girl wearing a red jersey stands in a grassy field, with other children visible in the background.
Two young children, a boy and a girl, are playing on a grassy field surrounded by a wooden fence in the background.
A group of people, some wearing colorful clothing, are gathered in a grassy outdoor area, interacting with various orange containers.
A young person in a blue outfit stands in a grassy field with a fence and trees in the background.
A group of children in casual clothing are gathered on a grassy field, engaged in an activity or game, with various orange traffic cones and other objects visible in the background.
A young boy in a black sweater stands in a grassy field, holding a magnifying glass and examining something intently.
A group of children in colorful clothing are playing and exploring in a grassy outdoor area surrounded by trees.
A person is visible through a window, surrounded by a red brick wall in the background.
A young woman in casual clothing is kneeling on the ground, tending to a garden or planting something in the lush, green outdoor setting.
A young girl in a light blue shirt stands next to a person wearing a t-shirt with a farm logo, in a setting with greenery and a wooden fence in the background.
A group of people, including children, are gathered in a backyard with a wooden shed, trees, and other outdoor elements visible in the background.
A group of people, mostly children, gathered in a rustic wooden barn setting, engaged in what appears to be a group activity or discussion.
A group of people, mostly children, gathered in a rustic wooden barn, engaged in what appears to be a group activity or discussion.
A group of young people, some wearing colorful and casual clothing, are gathered in front of a red wooden building in a natural outdoor setting with trees and foliage in the background.
A group of young people, dressed in casual clothing, are working together to plant something in the dirt in a grassy outdoor setting with trees in the background.
A group of people, including adults and children, gathered around a picnic table in a grassy field, with a wooden fence and trees visible in the background.
A group of children in casual clothing are gathered around a garden bed, engaged in what appears to be an outdoor educational activity or gardening project, with a backdrop of trees and a clear blue sky.
A group of people, likely children, are gathered in a grassy field with a red tractor in the foreground, surrounded by fencing and trees in the background.
A group of children sitting at a picnic table in a grassy outdoor area surrounded by fencing and trees.
A group of young people, mostly women, standing in front of a red wooden building with arched windows, surrounded by greenery.
A group of people engaged in various outdoor activities on a grassy field surrounded by trees and buildings in the background.
A group of children are gathered around a table outdoors, engaged in an activity with various objects and containers. The background features a grassy field surrounded by trees.
Two young girls are standing on a wooden platform in a grassy field, surrounded by colorful autumn trees and red barns in the background.
A group of children are gathered around a table in a park, engaged in various activities and surrounded by lush greenery and autumn foliage.
A group of people, including both adults and children, are gathered in a wooded area, engaged in what appears to be some kind of outdoor activity or game.
A group of people, both adults and children, are gathered around a large tree in a wooded area, with buildings visible in the background.
A group of people, mostly children, standing in front of a brick building with a red roof, surrounded by trees and a grassy area.
A group of people, both adults and children, standing together in a fenced outdoor area surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.
A group of people, likely students, are gathered in a wooded area, examining the ground and plants around them. In the background, there are trees and a building visible.
A group of people, including several young individuals, are standing in a wooded area with lush greenery and fallen leaves on the ground.
A group of people, mostly children, gathered in front of a small wooden building, with some individuals visible inside the open doorway.
A group of people, mostly children, gathered outside a red brick building on a sunny day with trees and foliage in the background.
A group of young people, mostly female, are gathered on the steps of a building with a red exterior and white trim, surrounded by greenery.
A group of people, including adults and children, are gathered in front of a large, ornate building with a covered porch and columns.
A group of young people, both boys and girls, are gathered in a room with various decorative items and a large world map on the wall.
A group of children gathered in a bedroom, surrounded by colorful floral wallpaper and various furnishings, including a dresser and a lamp.
The image shows a group of children gathered around an adult, likely a teacher or presenter, in what appears to be a bedroom setting with antique furniture and decor.
A group of children, some wearing colorful clothing, are gathered in a room with floral wallpaper, wooden doors, and a framed artwork on the wall.
A group of children, both boys and girls, are gathered around a window, seemingly engaged in a conversation or activity.
A group of people, mostly children, gathered in a room with floral wallpaper, examining various items on a wooden dresser and shelves.
A group of young people, both boys and girls, are gathered around an old-fashioned spinning wheel in what appears to be a home setting, with a framed artwork visible on the wall in the background.
A group of young people, both boys and girls, gathered in a room with floral wallpaper and a fireplace in the background.
A group of people, including adults and children, gathered in a cozy, vintage-style room with ornate furniture and decor.
A group of children and an adult woman gathered around a table, examining what appears to be various items or objects on the table in an indoor setting with decorative furnishings and a window visible in the background.
A group of young people, some wearing casual clothing and others in more formal attire, gathered around a kitchen counter with various cooking utensils and appliances visible in the background.
A group of children, including a young girl and boy, are gathered around an old-fashioned kitchen appliance, seemingly examining or interacting with it.
The image shows a group of people, likely children, standing in a room with various furniture and decor items, including an old-fashioned stove and what appears to be a vintage cabinet or wardrobe.
A group of children and an adult are gathered around a table, examining what appears to be a map or document. The room has ornate wallpaper and a clock on the wall, suggesting a formal or historical setting.
A group of young people, some wearing colorful clothing, are gathered around a table examining what appears to be documents or papers.
A group of young people, both boys and girls, are gathered together in an outdoor setting with a brick building and trees in the background.
A group of students gathered around a table, examining what appears to be historical documents or artifacts, with a classroom setting visible in the background.
A group of young students gathered around a table, listening intently to an adult who appears to be a teacher or instructor, in what seems to be a cozy, home-like setting with a fireplace and decorative items in the background.
A group of children in colorful clothing are gathered outdoors on a path surrounded by trees with vibrant autumn foliage, with a brick building visible in the background.
A group of young people, both girls and boys, gathered around a table examining various items and engaging in what appears to be an educational or interactive activity in a room with ornate decor.
A group of children standing in front of a brick wall, with a red barn and other buildings visible in the background.
A group of people, mostly children, gathered around a small wooden cabin in a lush, tree-lined outdoor setting.
A group of people standing on a gravel path surrounded by trees with autumn foliage, with a small wooden structure in the foreground.
A group of people, mostly children, gathered around a small wooden structure in a scenic outdoor setting with trees and a gravel path.
A group of people, including children, are gathered on the lawn in front of a large, red-painted historic building surrounded by trees.
A large, red historic house surrounded by trees and a group of people, including children, gathered on the lawn in the foreground.
A group of children and adults sitting on the steps of a porch, with a white building with red trim in the background.
A collage of various colorful and whimsical drawings, sketches, and writings covering the entire frame, creating a vibrant and playful visual experience.
A group of people, mostly young adults, are standing on the steps of a building with a red exterior and white columns.
A group of people, likely a team or organization, standing in front of a large, red historic-looking house surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky.
A group of people walking on a grassy field surrounded by lush greenery and trees in the background.
A grassy field with people gathered around, surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
A group of people, likely students, sitting on the steps of a large, two-story building with a covered porch and columns, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
A group of children gathered in front of a large, red-painted historic building with columns and windows, surrounded by trees and a grassy lawn.
A grassy field surrounded by trees, with a group of people gathered in the distance, likely for an event or gathering.
A pastoral scene with a grassy field, trees, and a red tractor in the foreground, set against a backdrop of cloudy skies and autumn-colored foliage.
The image shows a wooden table with a tray containing various items, including a glass vase, a piece of lace, and what appears to be a collection of letters or documents.
A yellow school bus parked in a grassy field surrounded by lush green trees under a cloudy sky.
A silver-framed mirror displays an assortment of handwritten notes, drawings, and other personal items on a wooden surface.
A glass-topped table in the foreground displays a decorative plate, while the background reveals a wooden door and a staircase leading upstairs.
A group of young people, both male and female, are standing together on a covered porch in front of a red wooden building, with trees and greenery visible in the background.
A group of people sitting on chairs in a grassy field, surrounded by trees and a red barn in the background, with an old tractor parked nearby.
A group of children sitting on the ground, listening to two women standing in front of them in a rustic wooden barn setting.
A group of people, mostly children, standing in front of a brick building with a metal roof and a chimney, surrounded by trees and a grassy area.
A group of people, likely students, are gathered on a grassy field surrounded by colorful autumn trees and a clear blue sky.
A yellow school bus is parked on a grassy field surrounded by lush green trees and a clear blue sky.
A group of people, mostly young adults, gathered in front of a large, weathered wooden barn or shed against a clear blue sky.
Two yellow school buses parked on a grassy field surrounded by trees and a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
A yellow school bus is parked on a grassy field surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
A grassy field with several people sitting in chairs, surrounded by trees and a blue sky.
A group of children are enjoying a picnic on a grassy field, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
A group of people sitting around a campfire in a grassy field, surrounded by trees and a cloudy blue sky.
Two young girls are sitting on a red blanket in a grassy outdoor area, surrounded by trees and fencing.
A group of people, including adults and children, are gathered on a grassy field surrounded by trees and a fence in the background.
A group of people, mostly young women, are sitting on a grassy field, engaged in conversation and relaxation.
A group of people, mostly children, are gathered on a grassy field surrounded by colorful autumn trees and red barns in the background.
A group of people, including both adults and children, are sitting on a grassy field surrounded by trees and buildings, engaged in what appears to be a group discussion or activity.