Hope Lewis, a HHS graduate and current Samford student, shows Shauntell McPherson, Kaitlyn Hogan and Elli Lorance something from the Civil War era. | Brent Maze

Crestline fourth graders learned about the Civil War from the brother-and-sister team of Caleb and Hope Lewis Friday afternoon.

The Lewis duo along with Hope’s friend from Samford University, Wang Ziran, were dressed in Civil War garb and helped give the students an understanding of what it was like to live during the Civil War.

“They had a lot of great questions for us,” Caleb said. “I know they had to be a smart group because they were asking so many questions. That’s the only way you get smarter is by asking questions. It makes it fun to talk about it when they were as interested in it as we were.”

The fourth graders are studying Alabama history during this school year. This is the second time that Caleb and Hope have done a presentation for the fourth grade at Crestline. However, it is the first time they did it before the entire fourth grade class with special guest Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson.

Hope said that the students have been studying about the Civil War for the last two weeks. However, their discussion was focused more on Civil War life instead of just battles during the conflict.

“Alabama history is important for everyone,” Hope said. “You need to know where you came from. I wish that the students could study it more than just in fourth grade.”

Caleb Lewis talks about toothbrushes during the Civll War as Wang Ziran looks on. Toothbrushes of that era were made out of horse hair. | Brent Maze

Caleb Lewis entertains questions from Cresline fourth graders as Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson looks on. | Brent Maze

Wang Ziran and Caleb Lewis talk with Crestline students Garrett Wilhite and Kolby Patterson Thursday afternoon in the Crestline commons area. | Brent Maze