Mobile Museum in the Classroom

Mobile Museum in the Classroom brings local heritage to life through hands-on discovery-based programs for the students of Washington County. These programs are tailored to the standards and benchmarks of the Oregon Educational Curriculum guidelines. Mobile Museum presentations reach thousands of students each year with this outreach program and continually receive wonderful and positive feedback. Our professional educators travel to classrooms throughout Washington County with historic artifacts and replicas and present on seven prominent local history topics. Reaching youth and relating local history to your educational curriculum is our primary mission.

Mobile Museum offers 7 themed programs from which teachers can choose:

Atfalati Kalapuya: First People of Washington County

Warren Lockwood (503-647-2270, lokwood@comcast.net)

This presentation explores the lives of the indigenous people of the Tualatin Valley, the Atfalati branch of the Kalapuya tribe. Students will learn how the Atfalati dressed, and some of the resourceful and ingenious technologies they developed from stone, bone, and local plants. In addition to carefully examining and touching furs, stone tools, and other artifacts, students rotate through stations where they practice Native American skills such as grind- ing seeds and preparing arrow shafts.

Chinook: Master Traders of the Northwest

Warren Lockwood

The "Wapato Lowlands" - the region on the lower Columbia River with Sauvie Island at its heart - was once one of the richest, most densely settled areas north of Mexico. This program will explore the way of life of the people known as the Chinook, the master traders of the Pacific Northwest, and their role in the exchange of goods and culture in the region.

Mountain Men, Trappers, & Traders

Mike Janik (503-472-7646, mjanik@comcast.net) or Jon Asmussen (971-645-1873, ort_sa_c@yahoo.com)

In full mountain man regalia, our presenters describe the earliest days of the Oregon Territory and how men and women survived using their wits and weapons. Dozens of objects for close examination include projectile points, clothing, beading, furs, trade goods, tools, trapping, hunting and camp accessories and pictures of weapons. Students participate in short hands-on activities. No actual weapons are used.

On the Oregon Trail

Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)

Students join a family as they prepare to travel the Oregon Trail in 1854.They discuss what items the family had to take with them as they sit around the footprint of a wagon. A collection of artifacts is provided for hands-on exploration. Students hear a pioneer diary about the adventures on the trail and what it was like on arrival in the Oregon Territory.

Pioneer Life

Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)

In this presentation the pioneer settlers of the Tualatin Valley are introduced. Students will discover the lives of pioneer children and their families. The History Mystery game engages students into studying and touching specific artifacts and learning about how they were used. Historic items are shown and brought to life with amusing and interesting anecdotes.

School Days

Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)

Students are invited into the world of the pioneer classroom, circa 1880, where they meet their teacher (re-enactor) and hear the rules of conduct for the session. The teacher then engages the pupils in brief participatory lessons in history, spelling, elocution and mental math, in the style as they were taught over 100 years ago. The presentation concludes with several hands on activities.

Lewis and Clark: The Science of Discovery

Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)

When Lewis and Clark pushed their boats into the Missouri River in May of 1804,they changed history forever. We join them on one of the most epic journeys of scientific exploration, examining methods and tools of discovery then and now. Students learn about the Native tribes who helped the expedition and the landscapes they called home. Artifacts, specimens, and short activities provide a hands-on experience.

Bringing a kit of artifacts from the museum's educational collection (or faithful replicas), museum educators demonstrate how the objects were used and explain them in the context of the lives of the people who used them. Each presentation takes one hour and is offered to oneclass at a time. Presentation cost is $45 per classroom session. Discuss specific needs and book your presentation directly with the educators.

View Mobile Museum Brochure (Download Adobe PDF Reader)

Age Groups

Presentations are suggested for the following grade levels based on content and Oregon Educational Curriculum standards and benchmarks. They can be adapted to other age groups by request.
Atfalati — grades 1-8
Chinook — grades 1-8
Mountain Men, Trappers, and Traders — grades 1-8
On the Oregon Trail — grades 3-8
Pioneer Life — grades 1-8
School Days — grades 1-4
Lewis and Clark — grades 4-8

Mobile Museum is generously funded by:
The Merrill Family Foundation
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Oregon Heritage Commission
PGE Foundation
Spirit Mountain Community Fund