We have been on the hunt for a vintage chalkboard for the kitchen.  We found the perfect one at Brimfield, and then left it for too long and someone else bought it.  (I know, I know totally amateur move.  And I used to be in the antiques business…When you see something you love, get it before someone else does).  Luckily we found a small reproduction slate at Sturbridge Village the next day.  These slates were used by school children to practice lessons before schools had paper to hand out to everyone.  We use the chalkboard to keep a running grocery list and then take a picture of it on the phone before running out to the store.