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Traveling Resource Trunks

Bring Kansas history to you! This exciting series of traveling resource trunks is created for teachers, youth group leaders, museums, libraries, retirement centers, and other Kansans looking for a unique and educational way to share the rich heritage of Kansas with others. This is a great way for anyone to learn historical thinking skills, practice asking questions about the past, study history from multiple-perspectives, and share their knowledge through creative activities.

Trunks Available:

All Trunks Include:

  • A teaching manual with lesson plans
  • Artifacts or high quality reproductions
  • Primary sources in a paper or digital format
  • A suggested grade level that correlates only to the lessons in the trunk. Any trunk is available for use with any age group.

Borrowers are responsible for:

  • Reserving a trunk in advance. A 2-week notice is requested. While there are multiple copies of each trunk, making a reservation a month or more in advance may be necessary depending upon the trunk and the time-of-year. Trunk reservations can be made for the current, or the next, school year.
  • Paying a $30 handling fee. This fee is refundable if the trunk is cancelled a minimum of two-weeks before the start of the reservation. Borrowers will be invoiced for the handling fee.
  • The cost and arrangements for returning the trunk. Trunks may be shipped back or dropped off in Topeka. We have 24/7 security so trunks may be dropped off at the borrower’s convenience.

Borrowing a Trunk – Trunks:

  • Are available for use by Kansas residents.
  • Are available for up to four weeks with reservations beginning and ending on Wednesdays.
  • Are available on a first-come first-served basis.
  • Can be shipped to the borrower at no additional cost or picked up in Topeka. Trunks borrowed in Shawnee County need to be picked up.
  • Can be reserved by filling out a Traveling Trunk request form, emailing kshs.education@ks.gov , or calling 785-272-8681, ext. 416. Borrowers will receive a confirmation letting them know the trunk is available and reserved for them.