In January of 2005, Durham Western Heritage Museum received a grant from the History Channel for a collaborative project with Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School. Seventh and eighth grade students and teachers from Buffett were able to work with the Museum's educational staff to select photos from the Museum's photo archives that depict the development of communication systems in conjunction with the development of transportation in the city of Omaha. The purpose of this project was to help to instill in students the importance of the preservation of our local history.
Lesson plans were developed by Buffett teachers, and the students involved were able to create postcards, develop power point presentations using the photos they selected, and do some research for text to accompany the photographs. In addition to access via our website, the Durham Western Heritage Museum will also make these photographs and lesson plans available in hard copy packets at the Museum.
This was an enjoyable and worthwhile project for all involved. The Museum would like to thank the History Channel, the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center, and the Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School for all of their help.
Lesson plans and images are available for the following levels: