Field Trips

Historic Group Tours at Buckley Homestead - Indiana History from 1850-1917

 

Dates available: Weekdays in May, June, September & October
Two-hour tours
Morning tours may be booked to start at 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m.
Afternoon tours may be booked to start at 11:30 a.m. or noon
$2 per person, including teachers and chaperones; $20 minimum per group
Reservations and pre-payment required at least ten days in advance by calling 219-769-7275

Tour Description: This tour is designed to enhance Indiana history taught in the 4th grade. It can be adjusted to fit the needs of younger grades, but is not recommended for Kindergarten or Pre-school groups.

Students will divided into groups of not more than 30 students each. (Schools with larger groups can be accommodated if chaperones remain outside of buildings.) Students will visit each of three different sites; the 1910s farm, the 1900 one-room schoolhouse, and the 1850 log cabin. Interpreters are dressed in historically accurate clothing to add to the visual comprehension.

On the farm, the interpreter asks, "What do you see and why is it here?" From the animals, to the buildings, to the pastures and gardens, there is much to see and understand about subsistence living. Animals on the farm include chickens, geese, rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs, horses, and cats.

In the schoolhouse, children will learn what a school day was like at the turn of the 20th century. They will be asked to compare and contrast their school with Buckley's. They will notice similarities and differences in the building, the teacher, and the curriculum. Many things have changed, and yet, some things we do today are derived from our early agrarian days.

At the cabin, children will be asked to imagine moving here before the Civil War. What did they need to survive? What was their priority once they got here? Students will be asked to compare and contrast living in their modern home with living in the 1850 Buckley cabin.

Additional Information

The path is just under one mile of gravel and bark chip trail. Students will be outside much of the time and should dress for the weather. If a teacher has a student in a wheelchair or other special needs, it should be disclosed at the time of the reservation. Arrangements will be made to make the tour as accessible as possible.

Picnic shelters are available for lunch.

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Pioneer Hands On Experiences

This daylong experiential educational program is guaranteed to create memories for years to come. Students learn about life during the early settlement period of southern Lake County. They learn about chores, recreation, school work, and challenges of life during 19th century.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR DETAILS

 

 

 

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Gibson Woods Nature Preserve and Environmental Awareness Center

The Outdoor education staff at Gibson Woods Environmental Awareness Center offers a variety of reserve group programs. All programs include an indoor presentation and outdoor activity, so groups should dress weather appropriate.

Reserved programs are tailored to suit the age, experience and grade curriculum of individual groups. All programs include an indoor presentation and an outdoor activity. Dress for the weather.

All programs are $2 per person including adults with a $20 minimum per group. Pre-school programs are 1 hour with a 20-student maximum. Groups K-12 programs are 1½ hours with a 40-student maximum. Registration and deposit are required at least 10 days in advance by calling 219-769-PARK. For program content information call Gibson Woods Nature Preserve at 219-844-3188.

 

 

 

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Historical Tour at Deep River County Park and Wood's Historic Grist Mill

• Deep River County Park
• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays in May, September and October
• Fee: $2 per student or adult with a $20 minimum fee.
• Grades 3 and up
• Reservation and $20 deposit must be received at least one week prior to the tour.
• Time: 1 ½ to 2 hours, depending on age

Tour highlights
In 1836 John Wood moved his family to Indiana where he built a wooden grist mill that he operated for many years.  In 1876, his son, Nathan, built the current building and operated the flouring mill into the twentieth century.  The grist mill and the neighboring Visitor Center, once a nondenominational church built in 1904, are an important part of the history of Lake County.

In the Grist Mill, students will learn how the Mill was powered without electricity and the importance of locating along the river.  They will see the difference between grinding corn by hand using a mortar and pestle and the use of large grinding stones and understand the importance of the grist mill in a developing community.

In the Visitor Center, students will experience shopping for their own souvenirs in an old fashioned general store setting.  Many items for sale relate to pioneer life.  Non-shoppers will learn about early Indiana settlers by going through the pioneer area in the Indiana Gallery.

During the Outside Program, students will be guided on a short walk where they will conjure up their best imaginations to picture the area as it was when the Woodland Indians lived on this very ground.  During the walk students will learn why John Wood chose this location to build his business and how an entire town grew up because of the grist mill.  Students will be taught about the significance of the road running in front of the Mill and who traveled it when it was just a trail.

Suggestion to teachers and group leaders: Visit the Lake County Parks web page to learn more about what your students will see on their trip to the park.  For an overview of the history of Wood’s Historic Grist Mill click on the YouTube video link from http://lakecountyparks.com/parks/deep_river_park.html

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For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)

Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30