District News

Fifth graders learn about Native American life during field trip

 

April 19, 2012

 

The entire fifth grade class at East Hill Elementary School recently visited Fenimore Art Museum Native American gallery, the Mohawk barkhouse, and the Seneca log house in Cooperstown. The trip was made possible through a Target grant.

During the trip, the students wove their own baskets with the help of museum staff. Lisa Trahan, the mother of student Emma Trahan, was among the museum employees guiding the students through the process. After a walk along Otsego Lake, the students toured the Mohawk barkhouse, which was used by Native Americans as a fishing lodge/residence. The students saw beaver belts, deerskin clothing, arrowheads and other artifacts.

At the Seneca loghouse, the students saw a timed progression of how many Native Americans in the area were living after exposure to Europeans. The students handled seed bags, bowls, beaded pouches and tools.

And inside the museum, the students viewed artifacts and participated in a hands-on activity where they handled wampum, baskets, pelts, pouches, and dyed porcupine quills. 

To see images of the trip, check out the pictures below.

(Click on any image to view a 3" x 4" image in a new window)