In Schools

Bring Florida History Into Your Classroom

The Historical Society of Palm Beach County’s Traveling Trunks program offers exciting classroom resources that meet Florida Sunshine State Standards. Traveling Trunks are based on specific themes and contain information, activities, and reproductions of artifacts to enhance students’ understanding of Palm Beach County and Florida history. Teacher Guides are also provided. Most of the trunks are designed for Grade 4 but can be adapted for other levels. The Traveling Trunks are loaned to teachers for three-week periods on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge or deposit for their use.

To reserve a trunk, please call 561.832.4164 ext. 101.

Traveling Trunks

Students learn about these native tribes of Florida through the items they created. The trunk contains photos, objects, activities, a student handout, and a Teacher’s Guide.

Students will explore how these early people lived prior to and just after the arrival of Europeans in Florida. The trunk includes a teacher’s guide, photographs, prints by Florida artist Theodore Morris, reproduction artifacts, a map, books, a video, suggestions for activities, a student handout, and a Teacher’s Guide.

Students will learn how settlers lived pre-Flagler during Palm Beach County’s pioneer era (1860-1893). The trunk includes a Teacher’s Guide, photos, a large map of Lake Worth showing where the settlers lived, reproduction 19th century artifacts, books, replica fruits and vegetables, deerskin, pioneer girls’ clothing, part of a Barefoot Mailman outfit, and a student handout.

This trunk is designed as a supplement when teaching about the Holocaust and is aligned to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and Common Core Standards. The trunk includes books, a classroom set of Jacob’s Rescue, photos of Jewish life from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, posters, DVDs, a map, and a guide to teaching the Holocaust with other lessons.

Students have the opportunity to learn about the Europeans who claimed and explored La Florida, from 1513 when Juan Ponce de Léon claimed Florida for Spain, to the founding of St. Augustine in 1565 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Students will also learn how the explorers navigated the oceans through lessons and hands-on navigation tools that sailors used. Pictures, maps, clothing, a teacher’s guide, are included.

This trunk immerses students in the period of 1861-1877 in Florida, during the American Civil War and Reconstruction, with a peek into everyday life, military camp life, and the obstacles and challenges people had to overcome to survive. Included are a Teacher’s Guide, photos, a large map of battles fought in Florida, reproduction 19th century artifacts, pioneer girl’s clothing, and books.

This trunk brings to life the science and development of one of the most foundational parts of our county’s history: agriculture. Teach the agricultural heritage of Palm Beach County and even how to create your own classroom or school garden. Included are a Teacher’s Guide, historical photos, large maps of the agriculture district, replica vegetables and fruits, and books.

History Delivered

The Historical Society of Palm Beach County has created History Pop-ups that schools, libraries, and other non-commercial users can request for 1-3 months on a first-come, first-served basis. The pop-ups can be used indoors or outdoors.  Many of the subjects are segments of Palm Beach County and Florida history that are taught in our schools. There is no charge or deposit for their use.

To reserve, please call 561.832.4164 ext. 101.

History Pop-ups

Florida’s Ancient People provides a brief overview of the first Native Americans that inhabited South Florida.

Spanish Explorers introduces the adventurous men that sailed to Florida in the 16th century in search of riches and land.

The Seminoles presents the journey of Florida’s Native American tribe and the Black Seminoles, their African American counterpart.

Florida in the Civil War explains how Florida residents contributed, fought, and survived the war that divided our nation.

The Pioneer Era provides an understanding of how and why settlers came to Palm Beach County and how they lived.

We are not makers of history. We are made by history.