By Sabrina Fay
The morning is near perfect; the sun is shining brightly on downtown's historic cobblestone streets, tempered by a light breeze that tousles the hair and carries the scent of the sea with it. It would remind one of a scene out of a painting, if it weren't for the groaning, growling and grinding from the gears of great construction vehicles as they paw into the ground. Though for some it may be an ear- and eyesore, the Port to Port class looks on with excitement. These are not the sounds of destruction, as Mrs. Eastman tells them. They are the sounds of creation.
As they walk along the downtown streets, the class scribbles notes frantically, intently listening to Mrs. Eastman expound on different points of interest in and around the harbor. The class analyzes art installations, ponders the purpose of boats coming into and out of the harbor, and even visits the Cuttyhunk Ferry booth, where they swap stories of their individual travels. Mrs. Eastman stops by an old marine supply company with the group, relaying the tale of how the unassuming little place is actually the oldest company of its ilk in America.
Though the excursion is brief, its effect on the Port to Port students is obvious when they return to campus. Their spirits are heightened and eyes bright as they continue to discuss what they saw, from the "creepy fish art" to the ferry pamphlets they thumbed through.
The images above can also be viewed on the Field Trip page of the Gallery.
This kind of hands-on learning is the foundation of Port to Port. Today, the students came face to face with history, and because they were able to experience it for themselves in their own backyard, it was something they enjoyed. Fortunately for them, this trip is only the beginning.