Traveling Resource Trunks
Grades 1 - 3
Ideas for using this
trunk with different ages and youth groups.
This trunk explores the impact of the environment on farming and the
lives of early Kansas settlers, examines the work roles of farm family
members in the late 1800s, and highlights various types of entertainment
and recreation enjoyed by Kansas farm families. The contents of this
trunk provide a introduction to tools used on a Kansas farm before the
time of electricity, automobiles, and the widespread use of commercially
processed food.
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From the trunk
Papa has been away all winter, so we take care
of Mama and sister Zella, feed and herd forty head of cattle,
yoke up [the oxen] Ben and Sam, and haul wood and chips and do
whatever Mama tells us.
The worms are working in the logs at the side
& overhead so that we have continual dust dropping in every part
of the cabin. Sometimes it gets an inch thick on things that are
not moved for two or 3 days.
Children here have to learn self reliance and
independence as well as their parents
There has been an unusual amount of wild fruit
in the woods here this season-We had gooseberries two months.
Cooks wanted to be at their best because they
knew their cooking skill would be compared to the other neighbors.
Fried chicken, cakes, pies and maybe a large beef roast.This was
country cooking at its best.
One afternoon in August, I heard a noise on the
roof like hailstones. Stepping out I saw the air full of grasshoppers.The
sides of the house and the walks were covered with them. |
Trunk Specifications
Trunk Manual
The activities in this trunk are directed at lower elementary age
students. Information is organized by the duties various family members
usually assumed. The influence of the environment on the lives of
early Kansas settlers can be found in the sections dealing with the
work of children, women and men.
Cover PDF | Word
Introduction PDF
| Word
Table of Contents PDF
| Word
Trunk Contents PDF
| Word
What is Work? PDF
| Word
The Work of Farm Children PDF
| Word
Chores such as herding, hauling fuel, milking, and churning are explored
through letters written by Kansas children, objects such as butter
paddles and a cattle leader, historic photographs, and a power point
presentation on churning butter.
The Work of Kansas Farm Women PDF
| Word
An apple peeler, washboard, sad iron, photos and much more help teach
about cooking, laundry, cleaning and quilting in early Kansas. Letters
speak of living conditions, prairie fires, malaria, the beauty of
Kansas and the happiness found living here.
The Work of Kansas Farm Men PDF
| Word
Diary entries, reminiscences, photographs, a power point presentation
and objects such as a corn planter, husking peg, and hog scraper help
explore topics that include growing crops; butchering; and the impact
of blizzards, prairie fires, and grasshoppers.
Fun on the Farm PDF
| Word
Learn that life was not all work on the farm. School, holidays, and
husking bees are some of the highlights.
Looking for other programs or activities?
The Kansas Historical Society has a variety of programs available for your use including other traveling resource trunks; traveling exhibits; guided tours of state historic sites, the state Capitol, and the Kansas Museum of History; and online resources. For more information on these contact the Education and Outreach Division at 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681, ext. 414, Fax 785-272-8682; or education@kshs.org.
 Guidelines for Traveling Resource Trunks
Request This Trunk through the Kansas Historical Society
Or Call to Request through Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site
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