EVENT: Archaeology of a Little House on the Prairie

EVENT: Archaeology of a Little House on the Prairie

Teachers enjoyed learning about a historic farmhouse in Mankato and Walnut Grove, Minnesota!

“Thank you for another amazing project archeology class!…Being in the class for a third time has really solidified my understanding in how to better facilitate the information to the students, and I create new ideas each time I have been able to collaborate with other educators. The outing to Walnut Grove and learning about the archeology that is involved in a more modern time in history fascinated me just as much as the Native American curriculum.” - Texas Teacher

We analyzed artifacts and historic photos at the Blue Earth County History Society. We ate food cooked over a campfire on a river ravine. We explored the banks of Plum Creek to discover the Ingalls dugout house. Thank you Institute for Heritage Education Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum for a great workshop!

This two-day workshop for teachers of grades 3-8 connected you to the past through a Project Archaeology shelter investigation of an historic farmhouse in the prairie setting of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book series: Mankato and Walnut Grove, MN.

The first day of the workshop took place at the Blue Earth County History Center in Mankato, MN with lessons and exhibits to enhance our learning of archaeology, historic photographs, and culture. On the second day we “uncovered” a farmhouse archaeological site exploring the geography, history, and artifacts of a real house on the prairie. Our investigation concluded with a field trip to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and Ingalls Dugout archaeological site. Teachers also had the option to stay that evening in Walnut Grove to watch the famous Wilder Pageant.

Thank you to all the teachers who came to learn more about the archaeology of farm life and all who made this once in a lifetime event happen
Thank you to all the teachers who came to learn more about the archaeology of farm life and all who made this once in a lifetime event happen
Campfire Cooking
Campfire Cooking
Learning how to take care of cast iron cookware
Learning how to take care of cast iron cookware
eating BBQ chicken, potatoes, and peach cobbler
eating BBQ chicken, potatoes, and peach cobbler
Dean Jean Boreen from Southern Utah University presenting on themes and censorship of Laura Ingalls Wilder book series
Dean Jean Boreen from Southern Utah University presenting on themes and censorship of Laura Ingalls Wilder book series
Every Picture Tells a Story - Lesson 7 Investigating Shelter
Every Picture Tells a Story – Lesson 7 Investigating Shelter
Every Picture Tells a Story -
Every Picture Tells a Story –
Knowing Shelter—Knowing People
Knowing Shelter—Knowing People
Giant classroom floor map of a real archaeological sites- reverse archaeology
Giant classroom floor map of a real archaeological sites- reverse archaeology
Investigating the Tinsley House archaeological site map
Investigating the Tinsley House archaeological site map
Making inferences about artifacts placed back in context
Making inferences about artifacts placed back in context
Lesson Five from Investigating Shelter - Classification of artifacts
Lesson Five from Investigating Shelter – Classification of artifacts
On the Banks of Plum Creek on a hot July day
On the Banks of Plum Creek on a hot July day
visit Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Walnut Grove, MN
visit Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in Walnut Grove, MN