Great Platte River Road Archway:

School Groups

Between 1843 and 1869 nearly 500,000 pioneers packed up their belongings and crossed the Nebraska prairie on the Oregon, Mormon and California trails. Trails experiences come to life as you travel through the Archway show. Learn about the Great Platte River Road, the route followed by the overland trails, the first transcontinental railroad and the first transcontinental interstate. From a buffalo stampede to a Lincoln Highway drive-in movie and more, experience the route that opened the West.

SCHOOL PRICES

Tour only $3.00 per person (1 hour)
Historical Re-enactment Tour $4.00 per person (1 1/2 hours)
Tour + Program $7.00 per person (2 1/2 hours)
Maze $2.00 per person (15 minutes)

2007 – 2008 EDUCATION PROGRAMS

These programs address Nebraska Social Studies/History, Science, Reading and Writing Content Standards. See examples under each program description.

HISTORIC RE-ENACTMENT TOUR - ( click here for a detailed description of re-enactments)
Tour the Archway and experience two living history reenactments presented by Archway actors and actresses. These first-hand accounts detail the extreme challenges of the era 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 Ft. Kearny commanding officer Frank North, the fascinating tale of the coming of the railroad, and more.
Social Studies/History 4.6 Science 8.7
Reading/Writing 4.4.1, 8.1.6

FROM TRAILS TO RAILS -
Leave Independence, MO in 1858, your jumping off point for the Oregon Trail. Buy all of the supplies that you will need to travel the Great Platte River Road. Will you have enough money? Start a new town along the road and experience the coming of the transcontinental railroad in 1866. What will it mean to your new town? Take a trip to Promontory, Utah for the driving of the Golden Spike in 1869.
Social Studies/History 4.9, 4.10, 8.1.6
Reading/Writing 4.1.1, Mathematics 4.2.1

PAWNEE OF THE PLAINS -
Celebrating the culture of the oldest tribe of central Nebraska, students will learn about the fascinating aspects of Pawnee life and be entertained by true tribal stories. This program includes hands on activities for kids, demonstrations of Pawnee gardening techniques, tools used from nature, and displays of authentic Pawnee corn and seeds.
Social Studies/History 8.1.9
Reading/Writing 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 8.1.1

TRAILBLAZER -
The 500,000 pioneers who followed the overland routes through Nebraska blazed new trails. Learn about the difficulties and dangers that they faced. Learn about the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails as well as the Pony Express and stagecoach routes and hear true stories from the trails. Discover why all of the trails converged near Ft. Kearny, and how the Great Platte River Road got its name. Weather permitting, blaze your own trail through the TrailBlaze Maze.
Social Studies/History 4.1.0, 4.6, 8.7.1
Reading/Writing 4.3.1, 8.1.2, Science 8.1.3

CRANE PROGRAM - March 15 - April 6, 2008 (click here for crane flyer)

The Maze is open April through October, with additional times as the weather permits.

To receive more information on our School Programs please contact Linda Terry at 877-511-ARCH or by email at lterry@archway.org .

Thank you Teachers for letting us help your students Grow!

We would like to hear your comments about our school programs and post them for other teachers on our website. Please email your comments to lterry@archway.org.