DATE: 29 July 2008
CONTACT: Stephanie Turnham
PHONE: 254.933.5243

BELL COUNTY MUSEUM CREATES NEW TRAVELING TRUNK ON NATIVE AMERICANS

The Bell County Museum has created a new traveling trunk focusing on Native Americans of Central Texas.  The trunk, made possible by funds from the City Federation of Women's Clubs and the Four Winds Intertribal Society, Inc., is available at no charge to area schools, churches and civic groups.

Visions of the Past:  Native Americans of Texas combines objects, CDs, a PowerPoint presentation, books and much more to promote knowledge and understanding of the rich cultures of Texas' original residents.  Objects include atlatls, or throwing sticks, a bison hide, projectile points, sage an sweet grass, and a modern war bonnet.  Also included is a sheet outlining the connections of the trunk to the Social Studies TEKS alignment.  The manual includes activities, games, suggested speakers, and local stories of Native American activity.

Kristen Reichert, program coordinator for the museum and the creator of the trunk, said, "Teachers, scout leaders and others engaged in education will find that the trunk is very interactive and that it directly relates to history, geography, government, citizenship and science subjects that meet the TEKS objectives."

For more information about the traveling trunk, please call the museum at 254.933.5243.