Traveling Trunks

Traveling trunks are available year-round, free-of-charge, and by reservation only. The trunks were developed with the help of educational specialists and teachers. They are interdisciplinary, curriculum-based, target 4th-8th grade levels, and offer students an opportunity for hands-on learning and access to primary resource materials to further study about the Civil War in Tennessee and Kentucky. All trunks have reproduction clothing, books, VHS tapes, CDs, and suggested activities.

The park has five trunk themes:  women’s history, the Underground Railroad, US and Confederate soldier life, and naval history.

A Journey on the Underground Railroad, focusing on Black Troops at Fort Donelson and the legacy of the Underground Railroad;

A Confederate Soldier at Fort Donelson, which focuses on soldier life at the Civil War fort; and

Sarah’s Journey: Civilians During the Civil War, which chronicles the life of a Tennessee widow and her family during the war.

U.S. Sailor Trunk focuses on the lives of Union volunteers in the Navy.

U.S. Soldier Trunk investigates the life of a typical Union soldier from the Midwest.

How do I reserve a trunk for my classroom?
Fax a reservation form, or email or telephone the park about reserving a trunk. The park staff will verify your reservation. A completed trunk reservation form, with important contact information and a school principal’s signature, is required before trunks are shipped to the school.

How will the trunk be delivered to my classroom? We ship the trunks via UPS Ground Service. Teachers are required to return the trunks in person to the Visitor Center or return by UPS.

Are there fees for using the trunks?
No. We only require that if you return the trunks by UPS, insure the trunk for $1,000, and pay all shipping fees.

How long may our class use the trunk?
Trunks may reserved for two--week periods. We do not recommend using two trunks at once, since teachers and schools are responsible for lost, broken, or misplaced items in the trunks. The estimated value of each trunk is $1,000 each.