“Thank you so much for the outstanding visit today for our homeschoolers! You exceeded our expectations in a grand way. The kids and parents are all bragging about the great day. Bravo!”
– Homeschool parent
“We have sure enjoyed using the Educational Trunks and the field trip is always such a highlight for our students!”
– Elementary school teacher
"We learned about the people who used to live in Old Town and saw where Job Carr built his first cabin."
-Fourth grade student
“I had a blast. It was really fun. You guys taught me some new things I didn’t know. I like when we made butter and had gunny sack races. I can’t wait to come again. It was a really awesome field trip.”
– Third grade student
Traveling Trunks
Bring the Museum to your classroom!
We are pleased to offer this FREE hands-on social studies curriculum with everything a 3rd or 4th grade teacher needs for a fun and creative history experience.
Follow Tacoma’s first pioneer, Job Carr, as he makes his trip west with lessons that include stories, activities, art projects and more!
Our school trunks are in high-demand by educators throughout Puget Sound. The lesson plans are meticulously thought out and easy to follow. Teachers and home school groups consistently rate our trunks as outstanding and engaging.
3rd- & 4th-grade curriculum materials
The third grade curriculum was designed by a Tacoma public school teacher in 2004 and endorsed by the Tacoma School District.
Our new fourth grade curriculum was unveiled in Fall 2014 and educators have given it rave reviews. Created in collaboration with a team of Tacoma Public School teachers, the new lesson plans meet current fourth grade Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and Washington State Social Studies expectations.
Reserve a trunk for your classroom - fill out the form below!
The average reservation period for a traveling trunk is 25 school days. When making a reservation, please let us know your preferred month to use the kit.
Enhance your classroom learning experience with a field trip to the Cabin and a walking tour of Old Town Tacoma.
Choose from a variety of options to make your field trip a special memory:
Listen as living history performers bring the Oregon Trail to life.
Step inside the Cabin to see how early settler’s lived.
Create a quilt square and shake cream into butter.
Play with old-fashioned toys and try on pioneer costumes.
Sing folk songs or learn to circle dance.
Compliment your field trip with a walking tour of Old Town Tacoma's historic sites.
Schedule your field trip today by filling out the form below!
Discover the past with hands-on activities for Preschool through 8th grade.
Public schools, private schools, homeschool cooperatives and preschool groups are welcome. We can accommodate groups with a minimum of 5 children and a maximum of 110 students.
Field trips typically begin on weekday mornings when the Museum is closed to other visitors. The time commitment ranges from one to four hours, depending on which activities you choose, the age of the students, and the number of participants.
Field trips are rain or shine, with both indoor and outdoor activities.
School groups often bring sack lunches to enjoy in Old Town Park during a visit to the Museum. In case of rain, a covered area with picnic tables is available.
Find out more about what you can expect your students to learn when they visit the Cabin on a field trip.
Our field trips are fee-free!
We want every child in Tacoma to have the opportunity to experience the Cabin and learn about local history.
If your school or PTA would like to donate to support the Cabin’s education programs, please contact our staff.
Photo Gallery
Pictures tell a thousand words!
Take a step back in time at Job Carr Cabin Museum to the mid 1800s.Visit us and see for yourself how the pioneers lived over 150 years ago.
Bring your family for a picnic and have fun on the playground
in Old Town Park.
Find a schedule of activities and events on our
