Elementary School Field Trips
Virtual and In-Person Options Available for 2025-2026
In-person Field Trips
Social studies for elementary school groups
Students learn about the Oregon Trail, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the development of Tacoma during our in-person field trip experiences.
- Discover what life was like for kids traveling the Oregon Trail during a living history presentation.
- Explore historic landmarks in Old Town Tacoma to find out about important people and places in local history.
- Participate in crafts and games that showcase daily life for children in the 1800s.
Contact us for more information and to schedule your museum visit!
In-person field trips take place when the Museum is closed to other visitors. This program is designed for 2nd-5th grade students. We can accommodate up to 90 students per visit. Activities are rain or shine.
School groups often bring sack lunches to enjoy in Old Town Park. In case of rain, a covered area with picnic tables is available.
Tacoma Public Schools are eligible for bus funding through Tacoma Creates. Find out more!
Virtual Field Trips
Available for elementary school classrooms
Students learn about life in the past during our virtual field trip experiences.
- In a 1-hour LIVE video feed from the Museum, our team shares artifacts from the 1800s to help students compare and contrast daily life for kids past and present. Get behind-the scenes access to the Museum as we discuss travel, clothing, meals, school, chores, and play.
- Add an optional second hour to your field trip with an interactive arts and crafts session that bring the past to life. We provide FREE craft supplies for your classroom.
Contact us for more information and to schedule your virtual visit!
We recommend that elementary students complete at least one of the museum's downloadable lessons or the traveling trunk curriculum before participating in a Museum field trip.
Enhance the learning experience with videos from our Cabin for Kids YouTube playlist.
Our Field Trips Are Fee-Free!
Thank you to our generous donors and sponsors!
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.
Middle School and High School Programs
Classroom and In-Person Visits Available for 2025-2026
**NEW** Middle School Presentations
Bring the Museum to Your Classroom
In 2025, our team worked closely with the 7th Grade Social Studies teacher at Tacoma's Hunt Middle School to develop an in-class program that aligns with TPS curriculum about the contributions of tribes, settlers, and immigrants to Tacoma's growth in the 1800s. This interactive 75-minute lesson highlights the experiences of the Puyallup people, the Carr family, and multiple immigrant communities who called Tacoma their home.
We are excited to offer this program at additional Tacoma Public Schools in 2025-2026. Contact us for more information and to schedule a classroom presentation for your students!
In-person Field Trips
Diverse Perspectives in Local History
Students explore the Museum and Tacoma's Old Town neighborhood.
- Understand Job Carr's motivation for coming to Puget Sound.
- Learn about the diverse groups of people who were important to Tacoma's urban growth in the 1800s.
- Find historic landmarks that highlight Indigenous people and immigrant communities who called Tacoma their home.
Contact us for more information and to schedule your visit!
Tacoma Public Schools are eligible for bus funding through Tacoma Creates. Find out more!
Combine your tour with a visit to nearby Chinese Reconciliation Park to learn more about the immigrants who built the transcontinental railroad, the expulsion of 1885, and Tacoma's efforts to heal from this history.
Our Educational Programs Are Fee-Free!
Thank you to our generous donors and sponsors!
We want every student in Tacoma to have the opportunity to experience the Cabin and learn about local history.
Tacoma Public Schools are eligible for bus funding through Tacoma Creates. Find out more!
If your school or PTA would like to donate to support the Cabin’s education programs, please contact our staff.
