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Traveling Trunks

Traveling trunks from the Maryland Center for History and Culture are filled with reproduction primary source artifacts and documents. The best part? These trunks travel to your classroom for a three-week rental. The traveling trunks also include lesson plans, activity suggestions, worksheets, and audiovisuals.

Cost varies by trunk and shipping needs. The cost for teachers picking up and dropping off trunks in person at the museum is $50 per trunk.

Contents of the Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake trunk laid out, including picture books; laminated images; stone, antler, horn, fur, and wood objects; a hide shirt; a drum and stick; explanatory cards; and a USB drive.
Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake Traveling Trunk

Traveling Trunks Offered

COLONIAL MARYLAND

Delve into the lives of early Maryland settlers. Students try on clothes, handle objects, and explore the sights and sounds of colonial life.
Grades 4-8. Cost: $200 (includes shipping both ways).

Objects in the Colonial Maryland trunk laid out including ceramic sherds, tools, game pieces, clothes, and laminated images.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Learn about the Revolutionary War through multiple perspectives such as those of common soldiers, officers, families, community members, and others. Lessons include object-based learning, primary sources, and digital components. This trunk is available for free through a grant through the Society of Cincinnati.
Grades 4-8. Cost: FREE

Objects in the Revolutionary War trunks laid out including toys and tools, clothes, eating utensils, maps, and puzzle pieces for an education game.

GROWING UP IN MARYLAND

Learn about children’s lives long ago through hands-on exploration of games, books, playthings, and pictures. Activities introduce young learners to the concept of the past and change over time.
Grades Pre-K-3. Cost: $150 (includes shipping both ways).

Objects in the Growing Up in Maryland trunk include toys, clothes, laminated photos, and books.

Indigenous peoples of the chesapeake

Investigate the lives of the Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake with this rich collection of replica artifacts, clothing, and images.
Grades Pre-K-5. Cost: $150 (includes shipping both ways).

Contents of the Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake trunk laid out, including picture books; laminated images; stone, antler, horn, fur, and wood objects; a hide shirt; a drum and stick; explanatory cards; and a USB drive.

CIVIL WAR

Explore the lives of the citizens of Maryland during the Civil War. Students will interact with photographs, objects, and documents to understand the roles of soldiers, women, and African Americans in a divided society.
Grades 4-8. Cost: $150 (includes shipping both ways).

Objects in the Civil War trunk laid out including books, uniform pieces, and replica objects from soldiers' daily lives.
Request here!


Please Note

Requests for Summer 2025 and the 2025-2026 school year are now open. It is preferred that requests are submitted at least one week before the beginning of the rental period for which the trunk is desired.

MCHC provides many grants to help make our programs accessible. Visit our Grant Funding page to learn more.

For trunks shipped out of the state of Maryland, there may be an extra cost if the base rental fee does not cover the shipping cost.


Have a Question?

Call 410-685-3750, ext. 334; email [email protected]; or read our Traveling Trunks Usage Guidelines.


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