History Trunks

The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library has assembled materials for use by educators in teaching the rich history of Texas. We believe that use of such materials will foster a "hands on" appreciation of the history of Texas and the West Texas region and will serve to inform educators about the rich holdings and opportunities for research at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library.

History Trunks contain a variety of materials to enhance the learning experience of students and teachers alike including maps, photographs, videos, slide/power point presentations, transparencies, clothing, recipes, music, worksheets, quizzes, games, suggested lessons and activities, and much more.

We look forward to working with educators and community groups through our history trunk program.

Current History Trunks available for checkout include:

• Settler Women on the Texas High Plains: This trunk features activities and materials focused on fourth grade social studies students, girl scouts, and special interest groups. The traveling trunk presents the role of women in shaping West Texas by using objects and primary sources that tell the stories of the pioneer women in the West Texas region from 1876 to 1908. This trunk's suggested lessons and activities are focused towards fourth graders, but can be adapted to other grade levels.
• Trail Drives and the Texas Ranching Frontier: This trunk focuses on the history and way of life associated with ranching in West Texas. Documents, objects, and personal accounts tell the stories of early ranching operations. The trunk contains material about the major ranches of West Texas and the story of the major cattle trails used to move cattle from Texas ranches. This trunk's suggested lessons and activities are geared towards seventh graders, but can also be adapted to other grade levels.
  
  Paralleling the learning experience in the classroom, we have provided pages where students and instructors can use a "VIRTUAL  CLASSROOM" to reinforce the learning experience.