Early Settlers, River Trade, and Prairie Life
Guided tour — Grinter Place State Historic Site, Kansas City
Grades — 3rd and above
A trip to Grinter Place isn't just a look inside the oldest home in Wyandotte County, it's a step back to the days of frontier life along the Kansas and Missouri border. Overlooking the historic Delaware Crossing on the Kansas River, Grinter Place was the home to Annie and Moses Grinter. Annie, a Lenape (Delaware) helped to farm, raise poultry and livestock, and planted an apple orchard. Moses operated a ferry and a trading post, where he traded with the Lenape Indians.
At the site you will learn how life in Kansas changed dramatically through the stories of Annie and Moses Grinter by touring their home. Students will experience cultural and social life in the Grinter’s era by participating in the Virginia Reel, preparing biscuits, enjoying the famous Grinter apple butter. A time will be set aside for the students to reflect on the their visit by completing in an art activity. The individual art projects can then be collected by the teacher and put together to form a quilt that will tell the story of the students visit to Grinter Place. Although the tour is designed to address third grade Kansas history standards, it has been a success with older students also.
This tour addresses third grade specific standards and provides pre- and post-visit material to help teachers meet those standards. Included within these materials is Read Kansas! Historic Places in Kansas lesson.
Kansas third grade standards addressed:
Geography: Benchmark 1, Indicator 6: (A) The student discusses reasons for the particular locations in a community are used for certain human activities (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, and recreation, agricultural.
Geography: Benchmark 2, Indicator 1: (A) The student identifies the physical characteristics of the local community (e.g., landforms, bodies of water, natural resources, weather, seasons).
History: Benchmark 1, Indicator 1: (A) The student researches the contributions of historical and current day individuals significant in his/her community.
History: Benchmark 2, Indicator 2: (A) The student retells the history of the community using local documents or artifacts.
History: Benchmark 2, Indicator 2: (K) The student locates and explains the importance of landmarks and historical sites within the local community or his/her region.
History: Benchmark 3, Indicator 3: (K) The student describes various cultures by studying dance, music, folklore, and arts of ethnic groups within his/her community or region of Kansas.
Cost per student is $2. One adult enters free for every 10 students. Additional adults pay the student rate.
Length of tour: approximately two hours
Number of students in a group: For the best experience, we recommend no more than 100 students. The students will be divided into smaller groups of approximately 25.
For registration and scheduling: Contact site administrator, 913-299-0373;email Grinter Place. Tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
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