Traveling Resource Trunks

The Kansas Historical Society offers an exciting series of educational resource trunks. Trunks are based on a specific theme and include hands-on activities to help students better understand the history of Kansas. Each trunk is aimed at a specific age level, but the information within the trunks can be adapted for use with all ages. Complete instructional information is included with each trunk.

NEW! A $20 handling fee is charged for each trunk. Borrowers will be invoiced a month before the reservation begins. Handling fees are refundable for cancellations with a minimum of two weeks notice. Trunks may be picked up at the Kansas History Center in Topeka or shipped to the borrower. Return arrangements are the responsibility of the borrower.

Reservations can be made by using the online request form or by calling the trunk scheduler at 785-272-8681, ext 414. Your order will not be final until you receive an e-mail or written confirmation.

Guidelines for Traveling Resource Trunks

Trunk Topics

Trunk	Topic	Content	Specifications	Request	See Inside
The African American Experience in Kansas	Black history in Kansas	Travel through time in Kansas as you learn about the Buffalo Soldiers, cowboys, desegregation, communities, and famous Kansans.	60 lbs. 31" x 22" x 16" Insure for $500	Form	More
Corps of Discovery	Lewis and Clark	Share the experiences of Lewis and Clark as you meet American Indians, observe nature, and learn about the bison.	32 lbs 24" x 20" x 13" Insure for $500	Form	More
Farm Family in Kansas	Kansas farm life in the late 1800s	Experience the work of a Kansas farm family in the late 1800s. Plant corn, grind coffee, peel an apple. Do lessons in a McGuffey Reader.	52 lbs. 31" x 22" x 16" Insure for $500 Also at Shawnee Indian Mission	Form	More
Indian Homes in Kansas	Tipi, grass house, and earth lodge	Learn about the tipi, grass house and earth lodge as you examine scale models of each, photos, and reproductions. Reading activities reinforce the object based lessons.	49 lbs. 28" x 20.5" x 15" Insure for $500	Form	More
Kansas Women and their Quilts	Women's history through quilts	Explore Kansas history through the quilts women made and used from the Oregon Trail to recycling in the 1930s.	56 lbs. 31" x 22" x 16" Insure for $500	Form	More
Mexican American Experience in Kansas	Hispanic history in Kansas	Learn about the centuries old ties between Kansas and Mexico. Explore immigration, traditions and celebrations using oral histories, objects, an interactive timeline, and more.	32 lbs. 31" x 22" x 16" Insure for $500	Form	More
People of the Plains: Native Americans in Kansas	Native American history in Kansas	Examine a buffalo bladder, parfleche, scapula bone, sinew and more as you learn about the food, shelter, and lifestyles of Native Americans in Kansas.	47 lbs. 31" x 22" x 16" Insure for $500	Form	More
Puzzles From the Past	Native American history through archeology	Learn about Native American cultures as you practice the skills used by archeologists. Observe a half size Wichita grass lodge floorplan. Compare bone, stone and metal tools.	38 lbs. 31" x 22" x 9" Insure for $500	Form	More
Symbols and Images of Kansas	State symbols	Explore symbols of Kansas from sunflowers to honeybees and cowboys to airplanes. Puppets, hats, the Kansas Symbols Game, and more!	35 lbs. 31" x 22" x 9" Insure for $500	Form	More
Volga German Immigrants in Kansas	German settlers from Russia	Follow a family’s journey from Germany to Russia to Kansas. Read an immigrant’s journal. Explore traditions.	45 lbs. 31" x 22" x 16" Insure for $500	Form	More
Wheatland	Wheat from field to table	Follow wheat production from Kansas fields to your table. Grind wheat. Play the Wheatland game. Examine models of antique farm equipment.	42 lbs. 31" x 22" x 9" Insure for $500 Also at Shawnee Indian Mission	Form	More