Traveling Trunk Program
Bring History into the Classroom
Traveling Trunks give students a tactile, hands-on way to explore various aspects of Oregon history. Each trunk contains objects, maps, copies of primary source documents, and lesson plans on a variety of topics spanning Oregon’s vast geography and diverse peoples.
Traveling Trunks can be rented for up to two weeks, from Sunday to Saturday, by schools and other educational institutions for $25 per week. Learn more about rental logistics and shipping information here.
Reserve a Traveling Trunk
If you would like to schedule a trunk rental, please complete a Trunk Request Form at least two weeks in advance of your desired Traveling Trunk reservation date. You must submit a separate Trunk Request Form for each trunk you would like to reserve. An OHS staff member will respond to your request within 2 to 5 business days. Please note that your trunk rental is not confirmed until you hear from an OHS staff member and have received a confirmation email. If you have any questions, please contact education@ohs.org or 503.306.5290.
Please note that the Lewis & Clark and Oregon Trail trunks are in the process of being updated and will not be available to rent until those updates are complete.
Chinese Traditions of Oregon
The Chinese Traditions of Oregon Traveling Trunk helps teachers share with students the history and culture of Chinese Americans in a hands‐on,...
Learn MoreCoastal Tribes Native American
Touch and study the rich collection of objects provided by members of the Coastal Tribes of Oregon. Besides over thirty objects, this trunk...
Learn MoreEastern Oregon
The Eastern Oregon trunk was designed to be a teacher-ready trunk that explores contemporary issues and industries of Eastern Oregon. The trunk...
Learn MoreGeography in Oregon
Background information is included along with lesson plans, objects and maps all related to Oregon’s geography. This educational tool explores...
Learn MoreGreat Basin Native American
Explore and touch objects to learn about the history and culture of the Northern Paiute Indians in a hands-on, interactive way! The trunk...
Learn MoreMexican American Traditional Arts & Culture
Learn about Oregon's diverse cultural landscape from one of the three Folklife traveling trunks. This trunk looks at history, foods, crafts,...
Learn MoreOregon Is Indian Country
This Traveling Trunk is a large, rolling suitcase filled with Native American-made examples of crafts; CDs, magazines, books, and DVDs about...
Learn MorePortland
Discover how Portland has changed and grown in the last one hundred years and how community participation builds a city! Through hands-on...
Learn MoreRental Information
Traveling Trunks can be reserved for $25 per week for a maximum of two weeks. Shipping outside of the Portland metro area is available for select
Learn MoreTraveling Trunk Request Form
If you would like to schedule a trunk rental, please complete a Trunk Request Form at least two weeks in advance of your desired Traveling Trunk reservation date.