A Montessori Journey 1907 - 2007

A Montessori Journey uses historical and contemporary photos as well as artwork, Montessori furniture and artifacts to dramatically depict the development of Montessori and showcase its legacy.

As a result of an international effort involving Germany, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, in cooperation with Centenary Committee of the Association Montessori Internationale, the North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA) presents an exhibit of more than twenty historical and contemporary stations, including a photographic collection that has never before been assembled in one place. Visitors can tour a life-size representation of the Vienna Haus der Kinder indoor/outdoor environment form the 1920s and 1930s, view rare period Montessori artifacts, and interact with a video library that brings alive the widespread and rapid diffusion of Montessori's vision. The exhibit culminates in a mural of children's art from Montessori schools around the world, visually depicting our planet from the origin of the universe to peace on Earth.

The Journey begins on Via Di Marsi, San Lorenzo, Rome, in 1907, and takes the participant through a visual encounter with children through space and time, spanning a century. The exhibit features two routes, the historical route and the contemporary route. The historical route shows Italy, the United States, Australia, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, and India when their cultures first encountered Dr. Montessori's child-centered principles and prepared environments. The contemporary walk shows a wide array of countries with culminating Montessori themes touching on the spiritual convictions of Montessori's deepening vision of the universal child and peace through educational practice.

The event is sponsored by the Centenary Committee of Association Montessori Internationale, Nicholas and Orcillia Oppenheimer, John and Paula Lillard, an anonymous donation through St. Helena Montessori School, VS Furniture Company and the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota.

- The North American Montessori Teacher's Association -