The Role of Hornbooks in Early American Education
By Armonee Wilkins
Programs & Events Coordinator Armonee Wilkins explores the historical significance and educational purpose of hornbooks in early American education.
Introduction
During the American Revolutionary War era, education was a foundation for shaping the minds of young people. One of the most fundamental tools used in early American education was the hornbook. Hornbooks provided a basic understanding of the alphabet and essential reading skills, which were critical for further learning [1]. This blog post explores the history, design, and usage of hornbooks during this critical period in American history.
What are Hornbooks?
Despite their simplicity hornbooks were educational tools used primarily for teaching children to read and write. They consisted of a single sheet of paper or parchment mounted on a wooden paddle, covered with a transparent layer of animal horn to protect the text [2]. Originating in England during the 15th century and brought to the American colonies by early settlers, they stayed in use throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, becoming a staple in colonial education [3].
Design and Features
Typically, a hornbook included the alphabet, with both uppercase and lowercase letters displayed. It also included a syllabary, which is a list of syllables used to support phonics and pronunciation. The Lord’s Prayer was often included [4], serving the dual purpose of teaching religious values, and reading skills simultaneously and emphasizing the importance of moral education alongside literacy. This emphasis on education contributed to the high literacy rates in New England, where the strong religious and educational system ensured that many children could read by the time they reached adulthood [5].
The design of the hornbook was straightforward yet durable. The text was protected by a sheet of transparent and tough animal horn, essential for preserving the paper beneath it. The horn protected the expensive and fragile paper from damage, as paper could be costly to buy and was prone to tearing. By encasing the paper in a durable layer of horn, the hornbook helped preserve valuable educational material and extend its usability. Which was crucial considering the rough handling of hornbooks often endured by young learners.
To create the horn sheet needed for the book, the maker would soak animal horns in water to soften them, then proceed to cutting, flattening, and heating the horn to make it malleable [6]. Finally, the horn was pressed and polished into a thin, transparent sheet that could protect the paper while allowing it to be read easily.
Usage During the Revolutionary War Era
As the Revolutionary War began, some hornbooks started to incorporate patriotic phrases and symbols. These additions were intended to foster a sense of national identity and pride among young learners, reflecting the growing sentiment of independence in the colonies [7]. Moreover, hornbooks were inexpensive and easy to produce, making them accessible to families of varying means. Their durability allowed them to be passed down from one child to another, thereby maximizing their utility.
However, hornbooks began to decline as the war progressed due to disrupted trade between the American colonies and England. With the war straining economic ties and causing material shortages, the availability of hornbooks significantly declined. This decline was further driven by the new states' growing desire for self-sufficiency, leading educators to seek alternative methods and materials for teaching[7].
Legacy and Importance
Hornbooks stand as a testament to the early American commitment to education. It shows the resourcefulness of colonial educators and underscores the importance placed on literacy and moral instruction during that era. Today, hornbooks are valued historical artifacts, providing insight into the educational practices and cultural values of early America. At Fraunces Tavern Museum, visitors can view some of the other ways animal horns were used. Powder horns, commonly used during the Revolutionary War, were containers made from hollowed-out animal horns, typically from cattle, used to carry gunpowder. These horns were lightweight, durable, and often personalized with carvings or inscriptions, serving both a functional and decorative purpose for soldiers in the field. As artifacts, powder horns and hornbooks show how people adapted everyday materials for both war and learning, highlighting the resourcefulness of the time.
In July, visitors who came to the Museum made their own hornbooks to experience the craft firsthand and consider what they would use their hornbook to teach someone today. In creating their hornbooks, visitors connected with the experiences of those who lived through the fight for independence.
Bibliography
Anderson, Charnel. "New Media for Instruction 1: Technology in American Education, 1650-1900. Bulletin, 1962, No. 19. OE-34018." Office of Education, US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (1962).
Monaghan, E. Jennifer, and Arlene L. Barry. "Writing the Past: Teaching Reading in Colonial America and the United States, 1640-1940. The Catalogue." (1999).
Monaghan, E. Jennifer. “Literacy Instruction and Gender in Colonial New England.” American Quarterly, vol. 40, no. 1, 1988, pp. 18–41. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2713140. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024
Nietz, John A. "Evolution of American School Textbooks." The Educational Forum. Vol. 24. No. 3. Taylor & Francis Group, 1960
“Old School Classroom Technology.” Newberry Library, 22 Sept. 2022, www.newberry.org/blog/old-school-classroom-technology.
[1] Monaghan and Arlene “Writing the Past”.8
[2] Nietz "Evolution of American School Textbooks.” 295
[3] Monaghan and Arlene"Writing the Past”.7
[4] Nietz "Evolution of American School Textbooks.” 295
[5] Monaghan. “Literacy Instruction and Gender in Colonial New England”.21-22
[6] Newberry Library “Old School Classroom Technology” 4
[7] Anderson. “New Media for Instruction”.5
