Our Traveling Trunks contain an easy-to-use script, are based upon North Carolina curriculum standards and are adaptable to many audiences and grade levels. Most of the trunks are on wheels for easy transportation.
Is there a Cost to Reserve a Traveling Trunk?
Trunks are available at no cost.
Is there a Limit on How Many or How Long Trunks Can Be Reserved?
An individual may reserve an unlimited number of trunks for up to two consecutive weeks at a time.
When Can I Pick Up a Traveling Trunk?
Trunks are picked up on Friday between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. They must be returned by the following Thursday between 3:00 and 4:30 PM. Pick-up and drop off times may be adjusted if arranged ahead of time. Please contact the Education Department for details.
What’s in Our Traveling Trunks?
Civil Rights
The Civil Rights Movement occurred throughout various cities in the United States; however, the majority of well-known events took place in the South. The contents of this trunk examine the individuals and events associated with the local movement in Greensboro, North Carolina within a larger national struggle for civil rights. Information about slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow segregation provide a broader context for understanding the ideas which led organizations and individual citizens to carry out non-violent sit-ins and marches demanding integration and equal justice.
Inventory
• Slave Sale Contract*
• United States Constitution*
• Segregated Water Fountain*
• Segregated Restroom Sign
• Jackie Robinson Baseball Card
• Josephine Boyd Doll
• Story of Josephine Boyd (in “Texts”)*
• President Dwight Eisenhower*
• Little Rock Nine Military Escort*
• “The Problem We All Live With” painting by Norman Rockwell*
• Model School Bus
• Ruby Bridges Goes to School
• Martin Luther King Jr.*
• George C. Simkins, Jr.*
• NC A&T University Mug
• Greensboro Four*
• Woolworth Menu
• Freedom on the Menu by
• Freedom Riders Map and pictures*
• “I Have a Dream” speech (in “Texts”)
• Video footage of 1963 Washington March (CD)
• Marchers Crossing the Bridge to Selma, AL*
• Police Waiting for Marchers in Selma, AL*
• Alabama Literacy Test 1*
• Alabama Literacy Test 2*
• Thurgood Marshall*
• Yvonne Johnson*
• Barack Obama*
• Scholastic News on President Obama*
• Civil Rights Movement Events Map*
• Civil Rights Timeline*
(*) denotes image/map/document
Clothing - From Head to Toe
Learn about past fads and fashions dating from the colonial period to the 1960s. The trunk allows individuals an opportunity to learn about historic fashion by looking closely, touching, and comparing/contrasting articles of clothing.
Inventory
• Pilgrim Family (1500s-1600s)*
• Doublet
• Breeches
• Housewife*
• Mob Cap
• Bonnet
• “Batts”*
• Hobnailed “Batts”*
• Shoes of Various Styles*
• Frontier Militiaman (Colonial & Rev. War)*
• Animal Skin
• Coonskin Cap
• Envelop of Fabric Swatches
• “Gentleman”*
• Waistcoat
• Tri-corn Hat
• Barber*
• Wigmakers*
• Ball gown (late 1700s)*
• Complexion mask
• Fashionable Lady*
• Wig making*
• Children of Wealthy Parents*
• Corset
• Dress of the Federal Period (early 1800s)*
• Purse (2, one large, one small)
• “Men were Dandies!”*
• Plaid Taffeta Dress (Civil War Period; 1861-65)*
• Bustle (1880s)
• Two piece Bustle Dress*
• Fan
-“Language of the Fan”*
-Early 1800s & mid 1800s*
• Suspenders
• Christening Dress
• Child’s Dress
• Shoes
• Vanstory Family (1900s)*
• Jabot
• Blouse
• Spectacles
• Collar & Cuffs
• Underwear
• Pantaloons and Petticoat
• Gibson Girls (1890-1900)*
• Purse
• Ladies’ Bathing Suit
• Flapper Style (1920s)*
• The Beatles*
• Denim Jeans
• “Basque waist” (1860s)
(*) denotes image/map/document
Coughdrops and Denim
Greensboro’s history is heavily connected to the development of textiles and medicine. Pioneers in both industries established businesses in within the city, which directly influenced the local economy. Lunsford Richardson’s innovative product, Vicks VapoRub, launched the Vicks Family Remedies Company that eventually became Richardson Merrell, Incorporate. Greensboro’s Cone Mills Corporation, founded by brothers Moses and Cesar Cone, manufactured cotton fabrics using local farmers’ crops. Trunk materials document the development and influence of both companies on the city’s history.
Inventory
• Vicks VapoRub
• Vicks 44 Cough Syrup
• Vicks Cough Drops
• Vicks Nyquil LiquiCaps
• Clearasil
• J. Lunsford Richardson*
• Porter and Tate Drugstore*
• O. Henry as a young man*
• Mortar and pestle
• Examples of Vicks signs*
• Horse
• Women filling VapoRub jars*
• H. Smith Richardson*
• Model T Ford*
• Wrapped package
• Vicks plant*
• Vicks plant*
• Vicks plant shipping room*
• J. Lunsford Richardson, Jr. *
• Pantene Pro-V container
• Vicks packaging line*
• Vicks warehouse*
• Jeans
• Flannel
• Corduroy
• Pictures of Moses and Ceaser Cone*
• Cotton
• Proximity Manufacturing Company*
• Simple loom
• Loom parts
• Loom parts
• Cotton
• Ad for bleached jeans*
• White Oak village*
• Revolution Mills village*
• House in Revolution Mills village*
• White Oak Company Store*
• Proximity YMCA*
• Piece of wood from White Oak w/plaque
• Cone commemorative medal
• Wilbur Ross*
• J. Spencer Love*
• Old Burlington offices*
• Silk
• Fabric examples
• 1969 Moon Landing*
• Military camouflage*
• Fabric examples
• Current picture of the International Textile Group’s offices in Greensboro, NC
• The Cone family
-The Cone Mills, Greensboro, NC
-The Cone Family Successors on the Hospital Board of Trustees and Staff
-The Moses H. Cone memorial Hospital
• Cone Mills Corporation 1895-1970, Deak Heiman*
• Vicks Salve – “Greensboro Patriot”*
(*) denotes image/map/document
Crafts in the Home
Over 200 years ago, settlers spent an enormous amount of time creating handicrafts and works of art using only the natural resources they found around them. The colonial crafts—stitching, weaving, tinwork, quilting, and basket making—enabled families to decorate their homes, but most importantly they satisfied the practical needs of colonists on a daily basis. The trunk includes examples of a variety of crafts, as well as information explaining techniques and history for each type. Suggested activities and directions provide an opportunity for you to try your own hand at creating the crafts colonists became known for.
Inventory
• Woven Basket
• Quilting Book*
-Quilt Sample—Star
-Quilt Sample—Oak Leaf
• Alphabet Sampler
• Cross-stitch sampler
• Rag Rug
• Hand Loom
• Woven Placemat
• Metal Sconce
• Pennsylvania Crafts*
• Wall Stenciling*
• Painted Chest
• Stenciled Box
• Stencil
• Modern Stencil
• Dipped Candle
• Candle Mold and Candle
• Hand-hooked Chair Cover
• Knitted Socks
• Knitted Baby Booties
• Knitting Needles
• Candlewick Pillow
• 18th Century Bedroom*
• Corn Husk Doll
• Apple Head Doll
• Yarn Dolls
(*) denotes image/map/document
Craftsmen of Guilford
Early settlers in Guilford had to rely on their own skills and those of their neighbors to survive. Bringing only necessities with them as they traveled along the Great Wagon Road, colonists relied heavily on their knowledge and experience building, crafting, and making things they needed. From wagons and wheels, to homes, to apprenticed crafts, settlers used their knowledge to survive the backcountry of North Carolina. This trunk investigates the unique skills needed and role individuals played as basket makers, coopers, tinsmiths, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, chandlers, and potters. Take a closer look at the unique work of early Guilford craftsmen.
Inventory
• Early American Crafts & Trades Book
• Conestoga Wagon*
-Wheelwright*
-Wheelwrights tools*
-Wheel parts*
-Wagon team and harness*
• Model of log house
-Miniature Broadax & Adz
-Treenails
-Iron nails
-Carpenter’s tools*
-House building*
• Polly Rice Bond Contract
• Milton Hobs Bond Contract
• Basket maker
-Basket
• Blacksmith shop
-Blacksmith at work*
-Iron horseshoe
-Blacksmith’s work*
-Iron hook
• Blacksmith’s shop & bellows*
-Detail of Bellows*
-Miniature anvil
-Miniature bellows
-Hockett blacksmith shop*
• Tinsmith at work*
-Tinsmith’s tools*
-Tin Candle mold
-Punched Tin Matchbox
• Candle snuffer
• Pewter plate
-Pewter’s tools & products*
-Pewterer*
• Silversmith*
-Silversmith’s tools & products*
-Silver baby cup
-Silversmith marks*
• Miniature Kentucky Long Rifle
-Gunsmith at work*
-Gunsmith tools*
-Part of Rifle Barrel
-Gun part
• Cooper at work*
-Cooper’s tools & products*
-Metal barrel hoop
-Part of Barrel lid
-Barrel staves
• Candle mold*
-Dipped candles*
-Molded candle
-Dipped candles
-8-Candle mold*
-Lye soap
• Potter at kick wheel*
-North Carolina potter*
-Kiln*
-Earthenware Pipe & Stem
-Glazed jug town Cup
-Salt Glazed jug
• Loom*
(*) denotes image/map/document
Daily Life in Early America
Life in early America challenged colonists to creatively use nearby natural resources as well as draw upon their knowledge and skills to survive. The Daily Life trunk examines how early settlers built houses, farmed, educated children, and dressed. Materials encourage individuals to compare/contrast early 18th and 19th century housing, food, and ways of living to society today.
Inventory
Home
• Log cabin bank/Lincoln logs
• Latchstring door/model cabin
• Quilt Square
• Candle mold
Food
• Corn
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Nutmeg grater
• Mortar and pestle
• Coffee beans
• Ground coffee
Clothes
• Wool
• Cotton
• Flax (linen) thread
• Spun wool
• Dyed yarn
• Shoe pegs
• Lye soap
Medicine
• Comfrey*
• Joe Pye weed*
• Mint*
• Basil*
School
• Hornbook
• Slate
• Slate pencil
• Eraser
Toys & Games
• Marbles
• Rag doll
• Corn husk doll
• Whimmy diddle
• Whistle
(*) denotes image/map/document
Early Settlers of Guilford County
Before formally becoming Guilford County, this backcountry region witnessed the migration of many diverse groups. Much of what historians know about the people who lived and worked in this area comes from artifacts left behind. Although different in many of their beliefs, similarities exist between the Native Americans, Germans, African Americans, Quakers, and Scots-Irish who settled in modern day Guilford County. Learn how these groups arrived, built communities, and left a lasting impact on this region of North Carolina.
Inventory
• Indian Basket
• Pottery Pitcher
• Indian corn
• Conestoga wagon
• Jug
• Lye Soap
• Wooden Tub
• Scrub Board
• Coonskin hat
• Bonnet
• Spinning Wheel
• Dyed yarn
• Candle
• Candle making*
• Quaker boy
• Quaker girl
• Quilt patch
• Map of Guilford County
• Buffalo Presbyterian Church*
• Slate, pencil & eraser
• Log College
• Wooden top
• Corn husk doll
• Hat maker*
• Anvil
• Nail
• Hook
• Blacksmith*
• Tanner*
• Gunsmith*
• Snuff (Tobacco)
• Whetstone
• Axes
• African American girl
• African American boy
• Carpenter*
• Settler Doll
(*) denotes image/map/document
Folk Toys
Toys evolved from simple handmade creations to the modern machine-made versions that children enjoy today. For centuries, children relied upon the creativity of adults and what was available around them from nature to create toys and other entertainment. The toys in this collection are constructed from string, rope, ribbon, and wood, and rely upon the imagination, coordination, and motor skills of children to operate. Each toy or puzzle provides children with an opportunity to learn new skills as well as have fun playing.
Inventory
• Corn Husk Dolls
• Flipper Dinger
• Ball & Cup
• Bull Roarer
• Button-Spinner
• Wooden Whistle
• Chickens Pecking
• Rubber band Gun
• Pop Gun
• Whimmy Diddle
• Jacob’s Ladder
• Sky Hook & Belt
• Ball Trick
• Fish Hook
• Top
• Spindle Top
• Climbing Bear
• Stick Horse
• Preacher & Bear
• Jumping Jigs or Flap Jacks
• Tumbling Tom
• Limber Jack
• Flying machine
• Sailboat
• Revolutionary War Dice
• Old fashioned Jacks
• Old fashioned Marbles
• Jump Rope
• Bean Bag Toss
• Shuttlecock and Hornbook game
• Sling Shot
• T puzzle
• Ox Yoke Puzzle
(*) denotes image/map/document
Herbs
Early Guilford settlers used herbs in many creative ways: cooking, cleaning, dyeing clothing, repelling pests, and healing. This trunk contains a large variety of herbs that early settlers used in their daily lives. Smell, look, and touch the collection of herbs as you learn about early settlers’ types of gardens and innovative uses for what we consider today as ordinary herbs.
Inventory
Spices
• Mini Spice Wreath
• Ginger
• Nutmeg & Mace
• Nutmeg grater
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Sandalwood
• Star Anise
• Whole Cloves
• Black Peppercorns
• White Peppercorns
• Herbs Coloring Book
The First American Herb Garden
• Tobacco
• Corn
• Squash gourd
• Pumpkin
Kitchen Herb Garden
• Framed Picture of Kitchen Garden
• Wood Mortar & Pestle
• Thyme
• Mint
• Sage
• Tansy Ant Bag
-Tansy Blossoms in Box
-Tansy Leaves Pressed in Plastic
• Costmary Leaves Pressed in Plastic
• Herb Seed Bag:
-Handkerchief with seeds tied in corner
-Box of Meeting Seeds
• Cotton Bolls
• Mount Vernon Kitchen Garden Chart
• Kitchen Herb Chart
Dyer’s Garden
• Twist of Natural Dyed Wool
• Palette of Natural Dyed Wool Yarn
• Iron Pot
• Moth Bag
• Teasel in Box
Apothecary Garden
• Porcelain Mortar & Pestle
• Herbal Tea
-Loose Herb Tea Preparation
-Tin Box of Herb Tea Bags
-Beatrix Potter Illustration of Mrs. Rabbit*
• Lavender Buds
• Lavender Sachet
• Sleep Bag with Hops
• Balsam Bag
• Bag of Balsam Needles
• Pomanders made of Oranges
• Basket of Herb Soaps
• Bag of Horehound Candy
• Bag of Ricola Swiss Herb Candy
• Bag of Dr. Soldan’s Anise—Fennel Candy
• Licorice Roots
Fragrance Garden • Potpourri in Tin Box
• Sachet Heart
• Sweet Annie
• Peace Pillow
• Catnip Mouse & Ball
• Loofah Sponge
• Frankincense and Myrrh Package
• Bayberry Soap
• China Pomander
• Tussie Mussie*
(*) denotes image/map/document
Native American Life
Find out what indigenous peoples ate and wore, see their tools and learn about their crafts, games and traditions.
Native Americans (A) Inventory
NATIVE PEOPLES
Men’s Clothing*
World Map*
Leif Erikson Voyage*
Mammoth*
Beringia – Movable Map*
Dream Catcher
The Eye of God (O’jo)
HAIDA (Coast Pacific Northwest)
Totem Pole*
Cradle Board*
Cedar Plank House*
Cedar tree*
Raven Chief*
Traditional Haida Clothing*
Bak’was (Wildman) Mask
HOPI (Desert Southwest)
Ways for mother to carry child*
Maiden*
Warrior*
Pueblo*
Mesa*
Entrance to Kiva*
Corn (blue and white)
Breechcloth
Katsina Dancers*
Katsina Mother*
Katsina*
LAKOTA (Plains Midwest)
Two Strike*
Tipi*
Small leather tipi model
Moccasins
Buffalo and parts*
Buffalo dancer*
Quill Work*
Range of Buffalo map*
CHEROKEE (Forest Southeast)
Original Extent of Cherokee Land*
Cherokee Nation’s Flags*
The Trail of Tears Map*
Cherokee Treaty*
Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet*
Basket
LUMBEE (Coast Southeast)
Native American Tribes of North Carolina*
The Lumber (Lumbee) River*
Lonnie Revels*
Heather Locklear*
The University of Pembroke*
Cornhusk Doll
Lumbee Pictures*
Lumbee Basket
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
1. Beringa Supplement Materials
a. Activity 3: A Journey Back in Time (answers)
b. Activity 4: Dig in & Uncover Your Own History
c. Activity 13: Subsistence Living (answers)
2. General Supplemental Materials
a. Native American Playing Cards Game
b. Map activity
3. Haida Supplement Materials
a. How Raven Stole Crow’s Potlatch
b. Totem Pole Meaning
c. Haida Masks (3)*
d. Salmon Boy
4. Hopi Supplement Materials
a. The Revenge of the Blue Corn Ear maiden
b. Hopi Word Search
5. Lakota Supplement Materials
a. Buffalo Matching Fame (answers)
b. The Legend of the Dream Catcher
c. Picture Dictionary
d. Plains Indians Pictographs
6. Cherokee Supplement Materials
a. The First Strawberries
b. Cherokee Quiz (answers)
c. The Story of a Boy on the Trail of Tears
7. Lumbee Supplement Materials
a. Symbolism of the Eagle Feather
b. Feathers
c. Sample of Jingle Dress
8. Extra Materials
a. Famous Indians: A collection of Short biographies
b. Native Americans: A Resource List for Teaching to or About Native Americans
c. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
i. Cherokee Colors CD
d. Traditional Native Americans: Geography Helps Us Understand
i. CD
Native Americans (B) Inventory
• Corn
• Rabbit Skin
• Deer Antler
• Gourd Rattle
• Reed Baskets
• Clay Cup
• Stone Points
• Stone Ax
• Turkey Feathers
• Vocabulary Word Cards
-Animal
-Foods
-Give Thanks
-Great Spirit
-Human Beings
-Inhabitants
-Life
-Moon
-Mother Earth
-Spirit Protectors
-Stars
-Sun
-Thunder & Lightning
-Trees
-Water
-Wind
• Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message*
• Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message (CD)
• Seminole Doll
• Small Deer-hide Drum
• Clay Pipe
• Turtle Shell Rattle
• Buffalo & Calf
(*) denotes image/map/document/book
North Carolina Music of the 20th Century
North Carolina’s musical heritage is unique due to the cultural diversity present throughout the state’s history. Passed down and preserved by generations of North Carolinians, the state’s musical history dates back to the colonial era. In addition to writing songs and dance music, NC musicians used a variety of folk instruments, found inspiration from unlikely places, and developed innovative instrumental techniques. This trunk introduces a few musicians who developed distinctive styles of music and contributed to the songs and stories of North Carolina over the past one hundred years.
Inventory
• Banjo Frame
• Parts of the Banjo*
• Mountain/Appalachian Dulcimer
• Parts of the Dulcimer*
• View of a Dulcimer*
• View of a Dulcimer*
• Dulcimer with Bow*
• Playing the Dulcimer*
• Courting Dulcimer*
• Gourd or Squash
• Mouth Harp
• How to Play the Mouth Harp*
• Earl Scruggs
• Dulcimer Pick
• Dulcimer Noter
• Quill
• Cecil Sharp & NC Historic Marker “Balladry”
• Governor John Motley Morehead
• Elizabeth Cotton
• Mortar Board & Tassel
• Raw Cotton
• Denim
• Flannel
• Moses & Ceasar Cone
• Raw Cotton Room in White Oak Mill*
• A Greensboro Mill Village circa 1910*
• Charlie Poole
• Arthel “Doc” Watson
• Tom Dula & Zebulon Vance
• John Coltrane
• Roy Roberts
• Mountain Dulcimer Case
(*) denotes image/map/document
North Carolina Symbols
North Carolina has a long history filled with dynamic people, notable places, and fascinating stories. This trunk explores the state’s natural resources, products, handicrafts, historic sites, and symbols using objects and images included in Carol Crane’s T is for Tarheel. Using the alphabet as a framework, trunk items examine the history, geography, state symbols, and legends that make North Carolina unique. This is a great resource for fourth graders learning about North Carolina history.
Inventory
A. Granite
• Long Leaf Pine
• Gray Squirrel
• Emerald (faux)
• Emerald*
• Pine Cone
B. Brown Mountain Lights*
C. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
D. Dogwood
• Cardinal
E. Eastern Box Turtle
F. Rootabaga Stories by Carl Sandberg*
G. Grandfather Mountain*
• Bat
• Tarantula
• Understanding Bats*
H. Honey Bee*
I. Isabella Tiger Moth Caterpillar
J. Jackson, Polk and Johnson Monument in Raleigh*
K. Wright Brothers Plane
• Kitty Hawk Memorial*
L. Virginia Dare Doll
M. Mountain Azaleas
• NC Lily*
• Venus Fly Trap*
N. Seagrove Pottery (blue jar with lid)
• Jugtown Pottery
O. Scotch Bonnet Shell*
• Shad Boat*
• Wild Ponies*
• Blackbeard the Pirate*
• Channel Bass*
P. Plott Hound*
Q. Queen Charlotte*
• Gold Rock (faux)
R. Raleigh*
• Milk Carton
S. Sweet potato
T. North Carolina flag
• State Seal*
• Tarheel Symbol
• State Motto*
• State Song*
• State Tartan
• State Toast*
U. Southern Appalachian Brook Trout*
• How to Grow Stalagmites & Stalactites
V. The Biltmore House*
W. Clogging Shoes
• Shag Dance Steps*
X. Train Whistle
• Train Engine
Y. Conestoga Wagon
• Great Wagon Road Map
Z. Race Car
• Checkered Flag
(*) denotes image/map/document
The Underground Railroad
Examine the slave experience in North Carolina, the operation of the Underground Railroad, the efforts of Abolitionists and the role of the local Quaker community.
Inventory
• Binder with Information/ First Person Accounts to explore*
• CD with Internet Links
• False-Bottom Wagon
• NC Timeline*
• Bound for Canaan Timeline*
• Guilford County Web*
• The Underground Railroad by Charles Webber (Painting)
• Model Slave shackles
• Harriet Tubman*
• Levi Coffin*
• Uncle Tom’s Cabin]*
• Harriet Beecher Stowe*
• Cotton boll
• Tobacco leaves
• Rice
• Map of slave vs. free states*
• Map of General Routes North*
• Frederick Douglass*
• Sojourner Truth*
• Steal Away: Songs of the Underground Railroad (CD)
• Reading Rainbow “Follow the Drinking Gourd” (DVD)
• Henry’s Freedom Box (Kadir Nelson)
• Moses (Kadir Nelson)
(*) denotes image/map/document
How Do I Request a Traveling Trunk?
Early Settlers of Guilford County
North Carolina Music of the 20th Century
Still Have Questions About Traveling Trunks?
Please contact Curator of Education Catherine Johns by email at GHMeducation@greensboro-nc.gov or by phone at 336.373.2971.
