Welcome to Stuhr Museum!

Living the Life of a Pioneer
Heritage Activities for Today's Students (H.A.T.S.) 2-Hour Classes

Kindergarten:
A Day At the Farm
Visit the farm and learn the child’s role on the farm in the 1880s. Students will feed and water farm animals and visit the farmhouse to gain an understanding of the life of a five-year-old.

Grade 1:
Families on the Farm
Participate in chores in the barn and around the house. Learn not only Ma and Pa’s responsibilities, but those of the children in operating a farm in the late 1800’s.
Pawnee Indians 1st
Discover the world of the Nebraska Pawnee Indians as students study the tipi and its construction and handle toys and stone tools. They will visit the Gus Fonner Memorial Rotunda to examine the clothing and beadwork of American Indians.

Grade 2:
Early Family Life
Learn about family life and responsibilities of each member during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Students will experience a seasonal holiday celebration as they pop corn, make paper chains and open gifts of the era.

Grade 3:
Early Transportation
Examine various transportation modes of the prairie. Students will visit the livery barn, discuss railroad jobs and operate a railroad handcart.

Grade 4:
Rural School Life
Students will use dip pens, slates and textbooks to experience school life, social customs and learn about the differences between today’s classrooms and those of the 1880s.

Grade 5:
Road Ranche Life
Learn about the important role road ranches played in the westward movement. Study the construction of a log cabin, what life was like in a log cabin settlement and the work necessary to survive on the frontier.

Grade 6:
Town Building & Community Development
Students explore Stuhr’s 1890s Railroad Town and discover buildings and services essential to a new community. Learn the importance of the railroad in westward development.

A Day of Discovery
H.A.T.S. One-day study courses
These structured classes provide in-depth study of topics that are taught in the Heritage Activities for Today's Students (H.A.T.S.) program and can be selected by the teacher to meet the special needs of the class and its curriculum. All of these classes are first-person, living history experiences and are limited to 4th grade and up.

• View troop living quarters
• Enlist in a regiment and learn the discipline of marching and drilling
• Participate in a mock battle
• Explore Civil War medical techniques
• (Warm clothing and sack lunches are required)

• Study needs and load supplies on handcarts
• Pull handcarts through the prairie
• Prepare their own noon meal in dutch ovens over open fires
• (Warm clothing and comfortable shoes are required)

Pioneer Living (5-hour class)
Students will discover how difficult it was to survive on the frontier and the challenges faced each day, as they prepare their own noon meal from scratch on a wood burning stove.

• Husk, shell, grind and sift corn to be baked into corn gems
• Boil cobs for corncob jelly, churn butter and prepare stew
• Help with daily chores (hauling water/firewood, etc.)

• Figure Math on chalk slates
• Study Penmanship with quill pens
• Gain understanding of U.S. geographic regions of the 1880’s
• At recess, play games from the 1890’s

Additional educational opportunities include field trips and summer classes. 

H.A.T.S. classes bring together all aspects of pioneer life in the Platte Valley in the 1800s.

Contact the Stuhr Museum Education Department or call Dawn at 308-385-5316 ext. 204 for more information on HATS classes or to register.

Click Here to view photos from our Education Classes!

Summer School

Education Photos

Education Resources

Ella Epp Scholarships

Stuhr Museum
Education Department
3133 W. Hwy 34
Grand Island, NE 68801
308-385-5316 ext. 204
fax: 308-385-5028

Interested in a class? Email
education@stuhrmuseum.org

Testimonials

Photos from a day with HATS

"Your program is a valuable experience in all aspects. My class enjoyed everything that was presented. The class loved Grandpa Bill. He kept their attention and yet maintained discipline and control. You continually provide an enjoyable and educational program for students! Kudos!"
-Sandy Creek 2nd Grade

"The entire day was a plus! The tipi, earth lodge, buffalo (and goat too!) and the way it was presented were great! Susan kept it interesting for the class and had good discipline! I was pleased with how much information was presented in such a short time! Thanks!"
-Morton Elementary, Hastings, 1st Grade

"The whole day was valuable. The students experienced in a day what others did their whole life. It was an excellent program. Grandma LaShara thoroughly engaged the kids. She talked and taught as she did everything. The kids came away from this with a positive attitude. You have awesome programs - thank you for allowing us to participate."
-Homeschoolers Group

"Each hands-on experience was special to the students; popping popcorn, opening a gift...[Grandpa Bill] made us feel like we were a part of the story, as if we were really there! We enjoyed our time at Stuhr Museum and the activities that are incorporated with the information. Kids are interested in a child's life in the past, and that story was told today!"
-Immanuel Lutheran 2nd Grade

"Our class learned lots. Grandpa Bill's stories were very interesting - use of students is great and well-timed. Bill did a very good job of balancing entertaining and informing. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful program so close to us. What your program does for the young minds who come through your gates is invaluable. Each time I go I'm thoroughly impressed!"
-Alcott Elementary, Hastings, 3rd Grade

"The whole experience was excellent! All the parts were well integrated into a whole experience. Miss Ellie was a super instructor, she was knowledgable, organized, funny and personable. We appreciated her emphasis on primary sources. I wish I would have had HATS when I was a kid! You are all providing a unique and valuable resource. Thanks!"
-New Hope Christian School

"We voted that our favorite part was riding the hand-car! Miss Ellie was extraordinary - so talented and patient and endearing! This opportunity is such a highlight in the 'learning journey' of each participant - parents and educators included! Thank you!"
-Seedling Mile 3rd Grade

"I just had to tell you how pleased and impressed I was with the pioneers' experience on the trail. From start to finish, I thought this was a top notch program.
Ann Atkins and LaShara Nuss greeted us at the door of the church. From that moment on, the fun and learning commenced. The presentation was full of stories as Ann and LaShara were interactive with the students. They divided the kids into four companies. Each company had been given a blank journal and were asked to write stories of their adventures.
The companies and their trail bosses headed to the barn to load their carts with all of the supplies needed to survive the afternoon's trekking.
Every stop on the trail included a real life demonstration. Each lesson drove home some very important information that everyone took with home them as knowledge. It made me more appreciative of how life used to be. I would almost guess that any one of my worst days would be so much better than any of the pioneers' good days.
Everyone on the Stuhr staff was full of energy and always had a smile. Ann and LaShara were especially exceptional. I could tell that they really love their jobs. I would recommend this to anybody. I really enjoyed myself and I know that the kids did too. Your staff should be very proud."
-Mike & Dannie Elwood, Parents, Rousseau Elementary School 5th Grade, Lincoln