OPM + Education

Early Peoples Hands-on History box is best for Grades 3 and up.  After the last glaciers retreated from the area now known as Wisconsin, the history of the Paleo-Indians arriving and inhabiting this land has been recorded. Further periods of history brought the Archaic Indians, Woodland Indians, Mississippians, and the Oneota people to this area. The way their technology shifted from one of survival on large mammals to farming took over 10,000 years.  In this Hands-on History box, students will be able to see many artifacts which relate to this shift in technology - from a scapula to ash baskets. Students will inquire into how each tool was used, by which group of Early People, and be able to connect the transformation in technology. 

Please indicate if you would like to pick up the Hands-on History Box at the Oshkosh Public Museum or have it shipped to your library using the Winnefox Library System.

The Fur Trade Hands-on History box is best for Grades 3 and up.  The worldwide business of fur trading dates back to the early middle ages (1000 BCE). The areas surrounding the Great Lakes, rich in beaver and sea otter, was home to much of this trade. In the 1500s,  Europeans and First Nations began to trade furs for items on the land now known as Wisconsin. This system of bartering for goods created an economy which brought settlers into this area. The Fur Trade also brought different European nations into conflict over control of unregulated areas of what is now the United States.   In this Hands-on History box, Students will be able to see items, such as a real beaver pelt, which were traded during this time period and inquire into why each side would want those items. 

Please indicate if you would like to pick up the Hands-on History Box at the Oshkosh Public Museum or have it shipped to your library using the Winnefox Library System.

The Civil War Hands-on History box is best for Grades 4 and up.  The American Civil war took place from 1861-1865 and was fought between anti-slavery and pro-slavery movements. There were over 10,000 military engagements (battles) fought throughout the United States and it is estimated that about 620,000 people were casualties of the war - 12,000 of them from Wisconsin regiments. Men from Oshkosh enlisted in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 32nd and 37th Wisconsin Infantry; the 1st and 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, and the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. Students will be able to inquire into what a soldier wore (uniform), ate (hardtack), and did to survive during this time period. A map of the Underground Railroad provides a piece of important history to the root cause of this war. 

Please indicate if you would like to pick up the Hands-on History Box at the Oshkosh Public Museum or have it shipped to your library using the Winnefox Library System.

The Mining & Logging Hands-on History box is best for Grades 4 and up.  In the 1800s, two industries - logging and mining - were responsible for large influxes of people from other parts of the United States and the world! The thick, old-growth forests of the north brought lumbermen to clearcut to make room for agriculture as well as provide timber to the building of cities throughout Wisconsin. The Wisconsin River, as well as other rivers, provided a highway to move logs to larger cities. Miners arrived for the Lead Rush in the South Western portion of our state to seek the riches of galena and zinc. Many of those miners were so busy mining they didn’t take the time to build a house but rather dug into the side of hills like badgers.  Students will be able to inquire into items that both groups of men used and try to determine what life must have been like for them in the camps. 

Please indicate if you would like to pick up the Hands-on History Box at the Oshkosh Public Museum or have it shipped to your library using the Winnefox Library System.