The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake and Conference Center gave new life to eight sets of drapes and nearly 100 bedsheets by donating them to the “Domus Romana” (Roman House) event at the Montessori Regional Charter School (MRCS) in Erie, Pennsylvania  in January 2014.

“Domus Romana” is a day-long event held in the school gym in which students recreate a typical ancient Roman house, including the furniture, decor and food. Two hundred students from grades 1-3 attended, and 100 students were responsible for managing and acting in the Roman house. 

kidsOne hundred students carefully sponge painted the back of the drapesto create “walls” for the house. The bedsheets were dyed, sewn and turned into enough tunics and togas to create costumes for all 100 actors. Both the costumes and the walls will be reused in the spring musical, Joust, and in future Roman projects. 

The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake also received an extra-special “thank you” card, signed by the participating students. It read: 

“On behalf of the students and staff at Montessori Regional Charter School, I’d like to thank you for your generous donation of nearly 100 used bedsheets and 10 curtains to our school. We “upcycled” these fabrics to sew authentic Roman costumes for 100 students and to create “masonry” walls for a Roman House. These items were used during “Domus Romana”, our daylong event that is the culmination of our Latin course. 

This year, the event was experienced by 300 students who let us know how much they enjoyed this educational opportunity. Your donation let our students shine, and the items we made will be used in school productions for years to come.” 

With gratitude, Mandy Feather, Latin Instructor at the Montessori Regional Charter School

Published June 2014