LYNDEBOROUGH – For the second year, fourth graders at Florence Rideout Elementary School in Wilton spent a day touring the historic sites in Wilton and Lyndeborough. The tour was part of their study of local history and had included a visit to the state house earlier in the week.

They spent the morning in Lyndeborough, beginning with a visit to the town offices at Citizens’ Hall to meet town officials, and hear a talk on why Lyndeborough has its odd shape.

A stop in Lyndeborough Center included an inspection of the town pound, built in 1774 to house stray or impounded farm animals. In the former Town Hall, built in 1845, once the Grange Hall and now a social hall, was a display of antique hand logging tools.

Lafayette Artillery Captain Walter Holland discussed the history of that organization and its 1844 cannon, which was fired, much to their enjoyment.

The bus tour then continued to Wilton Center for a look at that town pound, the historic Red House, and the former town hall, now Andy’s Summer Playhouse.

In the downtown area, the students visited the Historical Rooms at the library, the town hall offices and theater. A walking tour along Main Street included some of the history of the buildings. It ended at Nelson’s Candies for ice cream.

Prior to the tour, long time resident Jane Bergeron talked with the students about Florence Rideout, the longtime teacher and principal for whom the school is named.