With great trepidation, we began. I puzzled for 2 weeks on how to preserve the names and alphabet we found behind the drywall. I came up with a plan, but wasn’t sure my plan would work. Here’s how it went:
Take another set of pictures to make sure we captured the original artwork (just in case of catastrophic failure, which is always an option).
Next, secure a piece of piece of plexiglass over it and put as many screws as it takes to make me feel like it might not fall apart (which turned out to be a lot). 
Carefully, carefully, Kevin used a variety of saws to cut through the plaster and the lath and the framing boards behind. 
And with some gentle pulling, and a quick prayer, they were off the wall safely!
WHEW!!!
After that, it was all downhill. More lath and plaster removal, took out a bathtub, cleared some more walls. Kevin headed to the basement to switch out a supporting beam – I say with ease but caused me as much stress as my first job interview.
beam before…
and after…
I think, I think just maybe, the dumpster is full now
(anyone have an extra empty 30 yard dumpster laying around we could borrow?)
Before the end of the weekend, a little R&R was called for. Thank goodness Bass Lake school is close to the lake!
I’ll have to check that out!
I loved reading that you took the time to preserve that writing! Maybe it matches up to an actual class list stored in the Polk County records somewhere.