BURCHETT, Clara

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

Burchett, Clara. (Onida, SD-- ). Clara Burchett was an accomplished elementary teacher at IRVING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, but it may be her enthusiasm for all things Laura Ingalls Wilder for which she is be long remembered. Not confining her love of reading the well-known books to her classes, beginning in 1978 Burchett began taking her favorite character "on-the-road." She began giving her program at the CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY and used two small boxes with period artifacts for display. (1) By 1982 with as many as three tables of props, Burchett took the life and times of Wilder to civic groups and PTA meetings. (2) In 1984 during one two-week period, she presented her program thirteen times. She later reduced that to one show per month. (3)

Burchett's childhood home was about 120 miles from where Wilder lived two generations earlier. Her fascination for the author began when she realized how easy and interesting it was to learn of pioneer life through Wilder's writings. Family visits with her own children included trips to De Smet, South Dakota and the lesser known Mansfield, Missouri where the author spent her last years. (4)

A past officer of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Julien Dubuque Chapter of the DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, Burchett lectured on the development of oral history and offered workshops through the Keystone Area Education Agency. At such presentations as "Our Heritage of Diversity Day" at Fulton School she encouraged students to enjoy crafts like quilting and writing like Wilder did in her life. (5)

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Source:

1. Nepper, Mark, " Teacher Brings Brings Wilder's Pioneer Days Alive," Telegraph Herald, November 10, 1986, p. 3

2. Fryxell, David, "Her "Little House" World," Telegraph Herald, September 12 1982, p. 7

3. Nepper

3. Fryxell

5. Bergstrom, Kathy, "Cultures Combine at Fulton," Telegraph Herald, April 25, 1992, p. 11