Des Plaines History Center

The Potawatomi Tribe (ILS 16, 17, 18)
An introduction to the last Native Americans to live in northern Illinois prior to the Blackhawk War in 1832. General history, housing, foodways, and children's experiences are covered. Reproduction items include baskets, arrow points and a model wigwam.

Pioneer Pastimes (ILS 16, 17, 18)
This interactive presentation shares the story of settlers in Illinois circa 1830-1840. Photographs and hands-on reproductions are used to address the journey west, reasons for settling, children's chores, school and play time.

Pack Your Wagon (ILS 16, 17)
Using life-size drawings of mid-nineteenth century items, students make decisions about what to pack in their 10x3 foot wagon for their journey west. This program requires a large open area of at least 20x20 feet.

What Is It? (ILS 16)
This hands-on program focuses on reproductions of c. 1900 household items such as a boot jack, mechanical bank and toaster. Students guess what each is and how it was used compared to what we use today.

The Fur Trade (ILS 15, 16)
This new program focuses on the trade relationship between French fur traders and Native Americans. Students will learn how both groups benefited from trade and what was traded. This is an interactive program that includes reproduction artifacts.

Junior Historians (ILS 16)
Students learn about how the Des Plaines Historical Society operates by acting the role of a museum staff person. Groups of students will work with real antique items to assess what the items are, what condition they are in and whether they belong in the museum collection. "Artifacts" cover the time period between WWI and WWII.

What are the History Center's In-School programs?
The Des Plaines History Center has developed a series of programs that meet selected Illinois learning standards in the social sciences. The programs are interactive and include items that students can touch and explore. Topics correspond with units on Illinois and local history as well as general historical time periods in the United States.

If you need to alter an existing program or have an idea for another topic, please call the Programs Manager at (847)391-4747. We are able to work with you to plan a program to suit your curriculum.

Time requirements:
Programs are designed to run between 45 minutes and one hour. If needed, programs can be expanded to as long as 90 minutes or as short as 30 minutes.

Scheduling:
Contact the History Center for more information or to schedule a program: (847)391-5399. Two weeks advance notice is required when scheduling programs.

Fees:
Schools in Des Plaines: Free
Out of Des Plaines: $25.00