Traveling Trunks
These traveling trunks are available for a two-week rental on a first-come, first-served basis. Trunks cost $25 each with or without a presentor. They include artifacts, hands-on activities, primary sources, and lesson plans for use in the classroom. The lessons meet the TEKS for grade levels K-8. To schedule these amazing trunks and for more information, please contact Dawn Nixon at dnixon@williamsonmuseum.org or 512/943-3856.
Up The Chisholm Trail (4th-8th):
Life on the trail was rough and rugged. The Student will interpret a day on the trail, examining the impact of the cattle drives on the growth and development of the state. Students will experience trail life through hands-on engagement and the use of primary sources.
Digging into The Past/Archeology (3rd-7th):
Students will learn about Archeology through hands-on activities including a mock dig, rock art, and research assignments. This trunk does not include a presentation.
Pioneer Times in Texas (2nd-8th):
Students will relive a day in the life of a pioneer. Hardships, chores, education and daily activities will be discussed. The daily life of a pioneer includes hands-on engagement and discussion of artifacts such as food, clothing and toys.
Swedish Immigrants (4th-8th):
Students will learn about the experiences of the Swedish immigrants who came to Williamson County through hands-on engagement and primary sources. Hardships, and daily activities will be discussed.
Day in the Life of a Cowboy (K-4th):
Relive a day in the life of a cowboy. Hardships, clothing, jobs and daily activities will be discussed. Students will be given the opportunity to dress in the style of early Texas cowboys, and discover the many utilitarian uses of cowboy clothing.
School Days (2nd-8th):
Discover a typical early school set up and participate in activities experienced by students in the past and gain an understanding of the chronology of schools in Williamson County.
Turn of the Century (3rd-8th):
Students will gain an understanding of important events, issues and innovations of the 20th Century through artifacts, activities and lessons.
Civil War (4th-8th):
Learn about the darkest time in American history through interaction with reproduction and authentic Civil War artifacts. This trunk gives an oversight of this war on a national, state and county level. Disclaimer: this trunk contains materials of a graphic nature, please contact education for more details!
Endangered Species (K-5th):
The student will learn the differences between rare, threatened, and endangered species within Williamson County. Habitats and environmental threats to these species will be discovered through hands-on activities and discussion.
Activity Trunks
Wash Day Chores (K-2nd):
Does not include a presentation. Learn the process of washing clothes in the 1800s, before washing machines, through hands-on activities with tubs, buckets, washboard, items to wash and lye soap. This trunk includes a script for reenactment in the classroom.
Playful Pastimes (K-2nd):
Does not include a presentation. Students can play wiht hand-made wooden toys and other items, just as pioneer children would have. How different life would have been before television, video games and stores that sell ready-made toys.
Presentations/Reenactments
Harriet Standefer Cluck:
Learn about this courageous Williamson County woman who braved life on the cattle drive trail with her husband, George Cluck. She was one of the earliest women recorded to take this adventure with a crew full of rugged cowboys and dangerous trails.
Maryann Oatts Snyder:
Hear the story of this influential of Williamson County; daughter of Thomas C. Oatts, the first postmaster of Round Rock and wife of Dudley Snyder, a successful cattleman and trail driver.
Other Possibilities:
Campus-based Texas Culture Day
Campus-based Pioneer Day
First Person Presentations
Specialized Field Trips