Glass Inkwells

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Students used paper and ink less frequently than writing slates and slate pencils. These glass inserts held ink and were placed within inkwell casings.*

*Information from “Abiel Smith School Digital Catalog” Northeast Museum Services Center, NPS

Questions to Consider

1. Why would students use paper and ink less frequently than writing slates and slate pencils?
2. As a student of the Smith School, how difficult do you think it would have been to use dip ink to write?