Travel Trunks

This trunk will be available for rental in 2025.

Travel the railroad across the country. This trunk features background information on American railroads and Bell County depots, TEKS based lesson plans and activities as well as relevant artifacts, pictures, games, and more to engage students. Your students will explore the history and benefits of railroads for cities, economies, and the American people.

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Turn your classroom into an archaeological dig site! Students will learn about the Paleoindians who lived in Bell County 15,000 years ago, and experience the work of an archaeologist first hand! The trunk features: background information on archaeology and the Gault Site in southern Bell County, TEKS based lesson plans, educational activities, and relevant artifacts to engage students of all ages. Students will develop understanding and appreciation for the study of ancient cultures and the importance of these ancient peoples.

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Take your students through the causes and effects of this tumultuous time in American history. Students will learn what led the colonists to declare independence from Britain and fight for liberty and also learn about the creation of the United States and its current government. The trunk includes background information on the revolution and the historic context of the time, engaging artifacts, books, and TEKS based lessons.

The trunk also includes primary resources for students 8-12th grade to discuss the ideas and philosophies that influenced the creation of the Constitution and the American government.

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The Cold War era was a period of great upheaval. In a new bipolar world, communism and democracy competed for control. Conflicts arose from this competition including Vietnam in which the USSR, China, and America met on a diplomatic stage to aid the self-determination of Vietnam in their own images. Students will learn about this turbulent time and its effects on domestic and international relations. The trunk features background information on the conflict and its impact on the international stage & on the home front including the Civil Rights Movement, TEKS based lesson plans and activities, including an in-depth discussion using primary sources, as well as relevant artifacts to engage students in this meaningful topic. 8^th-12^th grade.

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After the assassination of a world leader, the First World War broke out in Europe. Believed the be the war to end all wars, this war changed warfare and the world forever. The consequences of this war would trickle down through world history for decades eventually leading to the outbreak of a second war. Take your students back to the early 20^th century to learn about the causes and effects of this war and how it changed the world for a lifetime. Students will learn about the war and how it affected contemporary events through the 1920s. The trunk includes background information on the war and the historic context of the time, engaging artifacts, books, and TEKS based lessons.

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As World War raged in Europe, America began training to aid the Allies and stop the German blitzkrieg. Camp Hood was created for just this purpose! Students lean about the creation of Camp Hood as well as will experience life on the home front during an important time in American history! The trunk features background information on the Fort Hood and WWII, TEKS based lesson plans, games, and activities as well as relevant artifacts to engage students of all ages. Take your students back to the 1940s and the sacrifices of war.

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This was the greatest economic decline in history. The 1930s was signified by high unemployment, homelessness, hunger, anxiety, and depression. In addition, it was the time of one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in history, the Dust Bowl. Students will learn how the prosperity of the 1920s led to the Great Depression, how man's impact on nature affects the world we live in, and what programs were put in place to alleviate the disastrous effects (many of which are still in place today!). The trunk features background information on the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, TEKS based lesson plans, games, and activities as well as relevant pictures to engage students of all ages. Show your students the hardships of the 1930s and the ways that our country changed in response.

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Take your students through the causes and effects of this tumultuous time in Texas history. Students will learn what led the Texans to declare independence from Mexico and fight for the establishment of the Texas Republic in 1836. The trunk includes background information on the revolution and the historic context of the time, engaging artifacts, books, and TEKS based lessons.

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From the late 1800s to the 1930s, the king cash crop of the South was cotton! Focusing on the "boom" period of cotton when much of the planting, picking, and processing of cotton was done by hand. Your students will learn the importance of cotton in the times before & after the Civil War including how plants grow, how the cotton gin effected the industry, the work of sharecroppers, and the economy firsthand. This trunk also introduces students to the importance of quilts in the lives of Texans, past and present. Students will develop knowledge of and appreciation for the function of quilts, quilt making as an art form, and the historic importance of quilts to early Texas families. The trunk features background information on cotton agriculture and the culture of quilting, TEKS based lesson plans, books, and engaging artifacts.

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The turn of the century was a tumultuous time! An in-depth lesson on James and Miriam Ferguson offers a superb opportunity to teach your students more about the area they live in and the politics of their state. The trunk features background information on the governors, TEKS based lesson plans and activities as well as relevant artifacts to engage students of all ages. Lead your students on a journey through Texas politics and the rise of women in the government!

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People started settling in Bell County with the founding of Robertson's colony in the Salado area. An in-depth an interactive classroom curriculum based on the Robertson family and the life of pioneers in Bell County. The trunk features background information on the Robertson's and pioneer life, TEKS based lesson plans, games, and activities as well as relevant artifacts to engage students of all ages. Show your students how very different life was in the mid-1800s!

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Explore the development of the Chisholm Trail and western history with this unique trunk! This interactive trunk includes background information on the Trail, TEKS based lesson plans, games, and activities as well as relevant artifacts to engage students of all ages. Your students will enjoy becoming a part of this historic trail!

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Before American settlers came to Texas, many Native American tribes ruled this area. Your students will experience the life and history of Texas tribes and their culture. The trunk features background information on the many Native American tribes, TEKS based lesson plans, games, an activities as well as relevant artifacts to engage students of all ages. Take your students back to the time of the Native Americans in Texas with this interactive trunk!

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Take a tour of Texas cultural groups and communities to learn the characteristics of each. This trunk features background information on communities and Bell County specific cultural groups, TEKS based lesson plans and activities as well as relevant artifacts and pictures to engage students. Your students will gain a better understanding of what a community is and how all people within it serve a very important role to maintain harmony and culture.

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Founded by a woman and composed largely of women, the Sanctified Sisters of the Belton Women’s Commonwealth succeeded in their rebellion against traditional social expectations and principles in the 1860s and beyond. This group of women pioneered the women’s rights movement. This trunk will encourage students to explore the social expectations of the 1860s and the ways these women fought for equal rights and changes in these expectations. This trunk features background information on the Women’s Commonwealth, TEKS based lesson plans and activities as well as relevant artifacts to engage students 4^th-12^th grade.

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