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Large trunk
Students can't wait to see what's inside.

Our Traveling Trunks can supplement textbooks in new and exciting ways to interest students. While each trunk focuses on using primary sources in the classroom, they may be used outside of the social studies classroom and in cross-curricular instruction.

Notice:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of our staff. As a result, the Traveling Trunk Program is not available at this time. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

Reserve a Trunk Today!

Several trunks focusing on different topics are available, such as early immigration into the United States, the Earth’s Oceans and Marine Life, Texas History, and The United States History. Trunks may be checked out by teachers, home-schools, and other education programs. Our large Trunks are recommended for Pre-K through 8th Grade and they are adaptable for whole classrooms, to share between classrooms, or to use in the school libraries. Our small Trunks are recommended for Middle School through High School and they are designed for single classroom use. Please note that to participate in the Traveling Trunk Program you must be located within driving distance to the Library. You are responsible for picking up and returning the Trunk to the Library.

  • Request a Traveling Trunk by emailing Bush43Education@nara.gov
  • Include 2 or 3 checkout dates, we will do our best to schedule your first choice, but this is not a guarantee.
  • The Invoice and Usage Agreement will be emailed to the appointed Point of Contact (POC).
  • The signed Agreement by the POC and Payment must be received by the Library before the Trunk can be released for check out. Bring the signed Agreement and Payment at Trunk pick up.
  • The cost of a Trunk is $25.00 per week.
  • Payments can be made by check or credit card.
  • Trunks will be picked up and returned in the Library's loading dock area.
  • Please note: payment will be deposited after Trunk pick up.

Raiding the Attic: Exploring History with Nana’s Trunk

Recommended Grade Levels: K-3

Students explore the treasured collections of six different American families. Through interaction with the artifacts and curriculum in Raiding the Attic, students learn the importance of museums and archives, how to differentiate between a primary and secondary source, how to analyze objects for their historic significance, and what collected objects mean to families. The trunk includes a full curriculum with ready-to-use activities and lesson plans.

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Inside the case features books, sea creatures, and other props
This traveling trunk contains a variety of resources for classroom use, including archival records, references texts, DVDs, marine replicas, and scientific instruments.

Saving Our Seas! The President and Mrs. Bush's Marine Conservation Trunk

Recommended Grade Levels: K-12

Built around the concept of comprehensive thematic guides, the Saving Our Seas! trunk provides both primary and secondary resources, scientific tools, and hands-on manipulatives that acquaint students with a variety of marine concepts. This includes the diversity of life in the oceans, the role of coral reefs, the water-cycle, human impact on the ocean ecosystem, and the archival records documenting the work of President and Mrs. Bush to conserve our oceans. The trunk provides tools and activities to ensure students understand the significance of the oceans and help them develop active conservation plans to encourage their role in saving our seas!