The 577 Foundation and DIY Tin Can Lanterns

The 577 Foundation is a twelve acre property in Perrysburg, Ohio dedicated to conservation, environmental education, and community enrichment. Originally a small farm dating back to the 1880's, the land was purchased by Duane and Virginia Stranahan in 1935. The Stranahans built their home and raised a family here, as well as kept a small farm with a few animals. Virginia was an accomplished outdoors woman dedicated to community enrichment through education and experience. At the age of 80, Virginia decided to preserve her land and share her vision with the community by creating The 577 Foundation. The foundation offers classes year round for all ages (pottery, beekeeping, basket weaving, yoga, gardening, urban homesteading, wood carving, and black jack - just to name a few!), as well as community gardens, a geodesic biodome (yes!), bird blind, book center, river walk, bee hives, and much more. The grounds are open year round for visits.

"Whatever we do here, let's be educational, environmental, experimental, and let's have fun."

- Virginia Secor Stranahan -

I have many happy memories of learning about bats and bees, pottery and sewing, in this warm and welcoming environment. I was an extremely shy and nervous young thing and The 577 Foundation always made me feel secure in learning and trying new things. This is the type of learning environment I strive for at the library. I was lucky enough to have known Mrs. Stranahan and have vivid memories of her driving her golf cart through the property, saying hello and stopping to chat with everyone. I know that in part, my own dedication to the education of young people in my community is due to the influence of The 577 Foundation. 

"Where people learn to like the land"

- Virginia Secor Stranahan -

I recently remembered a program I attended at 577 and decided to recreate it for the kids at the library. 

Hooray! We made our own tin can lanterns! 

Fun Facts to Share:

Tin can lanterns date back to 14th Century Spain - over 700 years ago! Matches were scarce - having not been invented yet - and light was something people would want to hold onto for as long as possible. The lanterns provided a way to transfer light from room to room without blowing out the candle. 

How to DIY!:

Enter one kooky librarian...

1. Collect a bunch of tin cans - all sizes so the children have a variety to choose from. 

2. Fill each can with water and freeze overnight. (If you live in sub zero temps like I do, you can save yourself the freezer space and just put them on the front porch.)

3. Create a few patterns. The kids can also design their own if they prefer. I made patterns using a Sharpie on graph paper and then made copies. This is a great website for printable graph paper: http://www.printablepaper.net/category/graph

4. Supplies! AKA Tools!

[Side Note: Putting tools - like big rubber mallets and screw drivers - into the hands of children can be intimidating and sometimes dangerous. Err on the side of caution by keeping the class size to number you feel is manageable. I had a max registration set at ten, seven came to the program which was perfect. Age and maturity level matters as well. I set my class at 4th-6th grade and they were able to handle to tools without much trouble. It is also important to have a talk about safety and using tools before you hand them out.]

Complete Supply List:

- Frozen tin cans

- Graph paper and Sharpie to create patterns

- Duct tape

- Safety goggles

- Rags

- Plastic aprons (Garbage bags will work as well. The ice begins to melt while working the lantern, so the plastic protects clothes from getting wet.)

- Rubber mallets or hammers

- Pokey tools (Awls work best but tiny phillips head screw drivers or nails will work too.)

- Bendable 12 or 16 gauge wire

- Wire cutters

- Needle-nose pliers

- Battery operated tea lights (Unless you are doing this at home with your own children, please do not send the kids home with anything potentially dangerous. You already put tools in their hands, let's not make them fire hazards as well.)

5. Hand out safety goggles, rags, and aprons.

6. Have each child pick a can and a pattern, using duct tape to secure the pattern on the can.

7. It is easier to work the lantern in your lap. I set up chairs in a circle without a table as our work space. Have each child find their seat, putting the rag in their lap over whatever plastic lining you chose, and tin can on top of the rag. [Cue Safety and Tool Handling Conversation!]

8. Hand out rubber mallets and pokey tools.

9. Using the pokey tool and mallet to make holes in the tin, follow the pattern and pound away! Remember to poke two holes at the top of the lantern directly across from each other to use for attaching the handle.

10. Once the pattern is complete, run the can under hot water to melt the excess ice. Dry the can using a rag. Since water expands as it freezes, you may need to pound the bottom of the can back into shape so the lantern will sit flat. 

11. Cut a piece of wire for a handle, bend into a u-shape, attach to the two holes at the top of the can, and using the needle-nose pliers, twist the ends to secure.

12. Turn on and place a tea light inside your lantern. Presto! Have fun!