Traveling Trunks
Bring Historic Columbia Foundation to you through several traveling trunks available for schools to use. Traveling Trunks are free to all public schools in Lexington and Richland Counties. Teachers have the option of picking up the trunk and conducting the program themselves or an Historic Columbia Foundation staff member will come to the school with the trunk and facilitate the program with the students at no additional charge. For private schools and all schools outside of Richland or Lexington Counties, there is a $50 charge to use each traveling trunk.
Elementary School Traveling Trunk
This trunk focuses on games children played during the time of the Civil War. Children may take part in a quill and ink pen writing activity, cotton carding, dominoes, use slate and chalk, play Hoop and Stick, Graces, use the stereoscope, and other activities.
Reconstruction Traveling Trunk
This traveling trunk targets middle school groups and educates students on Columbia during Reconstruction. Students take part in activities where they learn how rampant inflation and worthless Confederate money affected everyone’s lives, hardships faced by newly emancipated persons, the rebuilding of Columbia, and how corruption and prejudices affected the lives of many people.
High School Traveling Trunk
This trunk educates students on life in South Carolina during World War II using primary sources such as posters, ration books, images, cartoons, and letters. Students will identify themes in many government-issued posters during World War II and how the lives of South Carolinians were affected by rationing and war.
List of 30 Traveling Trunk
This traveling trunk educates third grade students on significant achievements and actions accomplished by 30 African-Americans in the city of Columbia and Richland County. This trunk was developed around the list of “30 most significant African Americans” revealed at Historic Columbia Foundation’s Jubilee Festival in 2008. Activities include singing to a Civil Rights era song, leadership development games, a Briggs v. Elliott activity, and more.
For additional information or to reserve a traveling trunk, contact