Bessie K. Monroe Interview, circa 1978

Bessie K. Monroe recalls the origins of the Darby School in the Bitterroot Valley in 1888, which was originally housed in a homesteader’s cabin. She talks about the first teachers at the school as well as the difficulties students had passing state examinations so they could continue on to high school. She briefly mentions some of the school board members of the Darby School in its early days. Monroe recounts how she went on to Corvallis High School and describes some of her teachers there. She also talks about the social programs that were hosted among the community, some at the schoolhouse, others at Miles Hall, including holiday programs, basket socials, and dances.