History Education News

Free Field Trip Opportunities

Three Minnesota Historical Society Historic Sites -Alexander Ramsey House, Historic Fort Snelling, and the Sibley House Historic Site- are pleased to offer free admission and bus transportation to schools with a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch. Generous donors Richard and Shirley DeLeo and the Ramsey Board of Governors have designated funds to underwrite this program for students and schools who might not have the funds to take field trips to historic sites.  These tours have been developed to meet the Minnesota State Social Studies Standards and engage school children with costumed characters, hands-on activities, and exhibits. Preference is given to those schools that can book tours during the autumn months.

Audio Version of Northern Lights Available

The extremely popular Northern Lights: The Stories of Minnesota's Past is now available in audio format. Casette tapes and CDs may be purchased at a cost of $24 per set. To order, please contact Ellie Sevdy at Minnesota State Services for the Blind at (651) 642-0849.

Portage the The Past

Experience Portage the Past - a two hour program at the North West Company Fur Post.  Students will have the opportunity to engage in many activities:

-Tour the trading post on the Snake River trading post and learn about the lives of British Fur Traders, Voyageurs, and Ojibwe Indians in 1804.

-Play Voyageur and Ojibwe Games.

-Witness a demonstration of fire making with flint and steel and construct a sac au feu (cloth pouch) to take home.

-Winter Options: Snowshoeing, maple sugaring, Ojibwe winter games, and Ojibwe storytelling.

To schedule a field trip, please call 320-629-6356.

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