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Step into HistoryWhen you visit Old Independence Regional Museum your group will have the opportunity to explore our region’s rich cultural heritage. You tour will begin at our map, will involve 4 to 5 stops, and may include the following themes: In our Region on the Move exhibit students will discover how travel in our region has evolved over time. The tour will focus on wagon, train, and automobile travel. It features a 1940s Springfield covered wagon and a 1930s gas station and gravity gas pump. Our Shawnee Room explores Native American life in our region. This part of the tour examines the culture of the Shawnee who settled in present day Yellville, AR. The courthouse exhibit tells about our region’s 12 county courthouse history. We will examine the county offices that are housed in the courthouse. Students will be able to test their knowledge of the county offices with our pull out drawers. In addition, we will discuss the room where judgments are made and the different types of cases that are heard there. The 1930s Depression Era Back Porch highlights what life was like for families in our region during the Great Depression. We will discuss how people “made do” and the role children played in the family. The exhibit on the Civil War explores secession, the War and Reconstruction, and reunions of the conflict. A scrapbook containing several primary documents, in the form of letters between a Civil War soldier and his family and receipts, is available for students to examine. In the community building and recreation section of the tour, students will be asked to consider how communities were formed. What are the things that brought people together: business, school, church, etc.? What did people do for fun? Historic GamesExclusively for school groups booking in April—May and September—October, Old Independence Regional Museum is offering a new historic toys and games program. What did children do to pass the time before television, the internet, iPods, video games, and even radio? Discover toys and games that were made at home from materials that were readily available and learn how they helped children learn skills that they would use throughout life. Scheduling A TourOld Independence Regional Museum offers tours for school groups K-12, Scouts, home school students and other groups by reservation. Group rates are .75 per child, one teacher admitted free for each classroom group. School tours are keyed to the Arkansas Department of Education guidelines, K-12. The museum provides pre- and post- visit handouts for school groups. The tour takes approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours. Specialized tours can be arranged upon request. Please schedule your tour two weeks in advance. This allows us enough time to properly prepare for your group’s experience. When calling to schedule, we will need the name of the school, a contact name and phone number, fax number, e-mail address, number of children and adults in the group, the amount of time you would like to spend at the museum and if your group has any special needs. Call 870-793-2121 to arrange for tours. Gift ShopPlease make plans to visit our museum gift shop. We carry a variety of fun and educational items priced for a student’s pocket book. For you convenience, our gift shop personnel will package and label your students’ purchases and keep them at the front desk during your tour. At the end of the tour one of your teachers will pick up the students’ packages and distribute them at a time that suits you. Click here to learn more about our gift shop. Living history outreachCharles Kelley, a living history character researched and performed by George Lankford, visits schools and civic groups upon request. Mr. Kelley (1780-1834) was the first sheriff of Independence County, serving from 1820 to 1830. His stories about coming into this country early in the 19th century, operating a store and farms offer a unique window on times past in north central Arkansas. Call the museum at 870-793-2121 for information about arranging a living history visit at the museum or your school. Lesson Plan GuideClick here for a copy of the K-4th grade Lesson Plan Guide.Click here for a copy of the 5th-8th grade Lesson Plan Guide. Lesson Plan Guide Supplementary Materials: |
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