St. Francis Students Step Back in Time for 18th Century Enlightenment Salon
Education truly came to life at St. Francis High School as the Golden Knights immersed themselves in an engaging, interactive, and delicious historical experience! A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Reichert for transforming her classroom into a vibrant 18th Century Enlightenment Salon, offering students a unique opportunity to connect with the past.
Last week, World History students had the chance to participate in the “18th Century Enlightenment Salon,” hosted by none other than Madame Geoffrin (Mrs. Reichert). In the 18th century, salons were intellectual gatherings where thinkers, writers, philosophers, and artists discussed a variety of topics, ranging from science and politics to art and philosophy.
Typically hosted by educated and wealthy women, these salons were spaces for free-flowing dialogue, often focused on ideas of reason, individualism, and progress. The conversations in these gatherings played a key role in shaping the Enlightenment, laying the groundwork for modern democratic and scientific thinking.
To recreate this atmosphere, students researched and embodied Enlightenment figures such as Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Mary Wollstonecraft, Diderot, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Cesare Beccaria, Immanuel Kant, Adam Smith, and Benjamin Franklin. Coming to class in character, they displayed two significant quotes from their chosen philosophe. Throughout the session, students engaged in thought-provoking discussions, exchanging ideas with their peers while enjoying charcuterie, mini quiches, croissants, and homemade crepes.
All five classes participated in the salon, making it a school-wide event that also welcomed other faculty and administrators, including Mrs. Traver and Dr. Nelson, who joined the lively discussions. Mrs. Reichert’s creative approach to learning provided students with a memorable, hands-on experience of the Enlightenment era, connecting historical figures with contemporary ideas in a fun and meaningful way.
St. Francis High School, 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, (818) 790-0325 or visit www.sfhs.net.