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A field trip to the President James K. Polk State Historic Site is both educational and interactive! While visiting our site your students will learn about President Polk and what life was like in the backcountry when Polk was a child. During their visit, students of all ages will gain a more concrete understanding of 19th century life through tours of our two fully furnished log cabins, demonstrations of skills like musket firing and hearth cooking, or a scavenger hunt in our exhibit space.
In-Person Field Trips
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Join us for an in-person field trip to learn what life was like when the future president, James K. Polk, was a child in rural Mecklenburg County at the turn of the 19th century. Polk spent the first decade of his life here with his parents, Samuel and Jane, four siblings, Jane, Lydia, Franklin, and Marshall, and at least five people enslaved by the family, including Lucy, Violet, and Elias. Visit two fully furnished log cabins, a kitchen garden, historic cemetery, and museum.
Using the Polk family’s history as a frame, students will engage with topics that had a lasting impact on the history of North Carolina. Students will be asked to compare and contrast their world with the historic environment they will see on their tour and explore the meanings in the similarities and differences; this gives students a chance to practice their argumentation, observation, and communication skills. All programs are aligned with the latest educational standards set forth by North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction. Topics covered include: slavery, agricultural life, natural resources, migration, inherited wealth, technological advancements, transportation, historic trades, cultural values, cotton, nutrition, foodways, education, fabric arts, and religious beliefs. If you are interested in reserving a field trip with us, please fill out this form. Contact us with questions. Can't make it in person? We have a virtual option!Contact us for details.
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