Published on Morgan Hill Life’s website May 10, 2016
By Robert Airoldi
Kids practice lassoing a fake cow at the 2015 annual picnic celebrating the school site’s 120th year.
Morgan Hill Life file photo
Thank you, Shelli Bettencourt, a member of the Machado Heritage Society, for reminding us of the chance to introduce modern kids to what life was like a century or so ago. The society invites everyone to enjoy its annual end-of-the-school year picnic June 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Machado School was built in 1895 as a one-room schoolhouse for elementary grades, Bettencourt told. us. An additional room was added in 1910 and classes were held continuously in the old schoolhouse until the 1960’s when the children were moved to a portable behind the school. Over the past eleven years the school has been enjoyed by more than 1,500 local children visiting each year on Morgan Hill Unified School District school field trips.
“The Machado Picnic has numerous activities and displays to for families to enjoy, including a quilt show, animals and a room full of memories in the History Room where class photos and a timeline will give a glimpse of the old days at Machado School,” Bettencourt said.
Classic cars owned by members of the Valle Del Sur Car Club will be on display. Children will enjoy playing old-fashioned games such as tug-of-war and sack races. Scheduled throughout the day include a 4-H dog agility demonstration and a wildlife talk from the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center.
Bring a picnic or enjoy Valerie’s Mexican food appetizers and tri-tip barbecue under the oaks. The Machado School Heritage Society will be selling lemonade or water and commemorative T-shirts. The local bluegrass group “The Just Picked String Band” always adds to the enjoyment of the picnic midday.
Machado School is located at 15130 Sycamore Drive near the intersection of Oak Glen Avenue in the southwest area of Morgan Hill.
Enjoy a fun picnic in the past!
