Tours | Off-site Programs | Traveling Trunk

Educational Living History Tours

We are pleased to inform you about educational tours available for schools throughout the school year at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. Guided tours are at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM. A short demonstration is included in the tour lasting about 1 hour total. Costumed living history interpreters perform tours that relate in part to the Colorado State Teaching Standards for history. The site's history provides fine examples of historical relationships and inquiry, society changes, economic systems and social processes and how they shaped populations.

Call (719) 383-5026 for reservations. Up to 105 persons can be toured at once with 3 tour groups of 35. The fee is $3.00 for adults, children 6 to 12 years of age $2.00 and children under 6 years of age free. There must be one adult for every 10 children to help direct and supervise the group. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for student discipline.

The "Castle of the Plains" video may be purchased from the Western National Park Association Bookstore. It is an excellent pre-visit film recommended as a good primer for visiting students.

Offsite Programs

Off-site interpretive programs are available on a limited basis to local schools. The 40 minute program, "Trade in the Frontier" is designed for for 3-4th grade students. The program is offered to local schools within 40 miles of Bent's Old Fort. The program must begin by 9:00 AM. The program is designed to supplement the onsite interpretive program and is based on the Colorado State Teaching Standards. Some "hands-on" activities are included in the program. Contact the park at (719) 383-5026 for scheduling possibilities.

Santa Fe Trail Traveling Trunk Program

click for a larger image of the trunk (43k)

The traveling trunk serves as a mini-museum helping bring history alive in the classroom. The ten lessons based on Colorado State Teaching Standards are designed primarily for 4th -5th grade students, but anyone of any age would enjoy the activities. Authenic child-sized 1840's trader and Mexican clothing; timeline, maps, paintings, games, puzzles, videos, and artifacts are used in the "hands-on" activities. Scripted plays, matching games, blueprints, maps, and objects relate to the cultures and lifestyles of the people. This trunk can be used as an exhibit, part of lesson plans, learning group activities, and in many other creative ways.

You may call (719) 383-5026 for reservations. Schools will receive the trunk by the 5th of the month with its return due by the 20th. The cost is $30.00 within Colorado, out-of-state will be more. The school pays for return shipping. If you decide to transport the trunk yourself, the fee is $20.00.