LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, local educators are placing a renewed focus on hands-on history lessons.
The Allen County Museum brought one of its traveling trunks — filled with items depicting life for early settlers in Allen County — to Unity Elementary School in Lima on Thursday. The presentation gave students the opportunity to learn about pioneer life through interactive activities and historic artifacts.
Students were able to see and try out pioneer-era toys such as a Jacob’s ladder, iron clothes using a cast-iron iron, and ring a cowbell. Educators say hands-on learning experiences like these help students better understand and retain historical information.
Third-grader Rayna Houston said the items offered a glimpse into life long ago.
"All of these things are from the back in the day. These toys are from the back in the day. These clothes, these shoes, these food and other stuff."
Fellow third-grader Jeremiah Watkins said the lesson helped him understand how settlers lived and worked together.
"Everybody had their own job to do, and when they moved they would only take a couple things and like the things that they really needed."
Sarah Rish, curator of education at the Allen County Museum, says interactive presentations help bring history to life in a way textbooks cannot.
"Well, sometimes you just see the light bulb go off, because it's one thing to read about it in a book, but when you actually get to touch these things and try the toys, I think it's a lot more meaningful."
Educators say hands-on learning experiences like these help students better understand and retain historical information.
The presentation also marked a milestone for Rish, as it was her final traveling trunk program. She is set to retire at the end of the year after more than 40 years with the Allen County Museum.
