Archway Re-enactors Receive National Award from the National Oregon California Trails Association!

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Archway Historic Re-enactments

These first-hand accounts detail the extreme challenges of the time period of the trails, and pay tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Listen to the heart-wrenching story of Eliza Donner, the challenges of the Pony Express Riders, tales from an early Irish immigrant, stories from Fort Kearny commanding officer Frank North, the fascinating tale of the coming of the railroad and more.

The Coming of the Railroad
Mr. Del Peck’s story tells of the trails and their importance in settling our country. He also discusses the building of the first transcontinental railroad and the impact it had on the trade of goods and services across the nation. He discusses the role the railroad played in establishing our nation and how it is still an important part of the United States today.

Eliza Donner
Mrs. Sharon Von Aschwege tells the story of the Donner Party and their fateful journey through the eyes of Eliza Donner, a small child and survivor of the expedition. She discusses in the risks that were taken and the consequences of the decisions. School children are left wondering what they would do had they taken the unfamiliar route of the Donner’s and were stranded for one of the coldest winters on record.

Frank North
Mr. Steve Halbert shares the story of Frank North, a commanding officer at Fort Kearny in the early 1860’s. This was a time when most of the area male settlers were off fighting in the Civil War. Frank North enlisted Pawnee Indians called scouts into the military and trained them to help ward off Sioux conflicts with settlers and those following the trails. Colonel North developed a great admiration for the Pawnee and earned their respect and friendship.

Johnny Hodges
Mr. Curly Ladd tells the story of young Johnny Hodges, who was traveling the Oregon Trail with his family when their wagon train was attacked by Sioux Indians along the Platte River in Central Nebraska. This is an action packed rendition that details Johnny’s escape and how his life was forever changed by the events that happened that day on the Oregon Trail.

Ellen O’Brien and a Pawnee Story
Mrs. Ronnie O’Brien tells of one of the first families to settle along the Mormon and California Trails in central Nebraska. Hear details of their daily life and about their relationship with a Pawnee Indian Chief. The chief had a great impact on their life and helped them survive their first winter on the prairie.

Jim Baker
Mr. Del Peck plays ex-mountain man and guide Jim Baker as he prepares students to leave Independence, MO and head down the trail towards Oregon. Students will discover why they should have brought supplies with them instead of waiting to buy them in Independence, and they will learn what trail life will be like under their new ruler, Jim Baker.

Virginia Reed
Mrs. Sharon Von Ashwege tells the story of Virginia Reed, survivor of the Donner-Reed tragedy. Virginia was 13 years old in 1846, the year of their journey to California. The Reeds were one of the only two families to come through the ordeal without losing a family member. She remembers the heroic measures her parents used to keep the family alive.

John C. Fremont
Mr. Steve Halbert portrays John C. Fremont, the famous and popular explorer, nicknamed the “Pathfinder.” He highlights Fremont’s expeditions to explore the West between 1842-1853. He touches on his life as a “topographer,” a soldier and a politician. Fremont’s explorations, reports and maps became a guidebook for American who wanted to push westward.
*Fremont explored and mapped the Oregon Trail.

Pony Express Riders
Mr. Curly Ladd recruits students to join the Pony Express in 1861. Hear details of the brief history of the Pony Express and the impact that it had on the United States communication system. Learn why orphaned, exceptionally good horse riders were the riders of choice for the Pony Express. See if you have what it takes to be one yourself.

Ellen O’Brien and a Sioux Story
Mrs. Ronnie O’Brien tells of the first two tribes encountered by Irish settlers along the Mormon and California trails in central Nebraska, the Pawnee and the Sioux. She tells the story of the Sioux and their reaction to the settlers taking up the land. She also discusses the details of the relationship between one group fighting to preserve a way of life and one group looking to start a new life. This program is designed for 8th grade.

Coast to Coast with Emily Post
Mrs. Ronnie O’Brien tells the story of the famous Lincoln Highway journey of Emily Post, writer for Colliers Weekly magazine, and a woman whose name would become synonymous with etiquette in her later life.

In 1915 Emily Post traveled the Lincoln Highway when it was just two years old. Find out what the word “highway” meant in the early years. Discover how difficult it was to travel with the early cars models along our nation’s first highway, and why Emily was warned over and over along her journey, “Don’t stop in North Platte, Nebraska!”

                      Sharon Von Ashwege                                                 Ronnie O'Brien