K-12 Learning

Youth Education and Programs

JCHS supports K–12 educators and students with engaging, hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom and beyond.

We offer free Education Trunks (by reservation) that bring immersive, artifact-based learning directly into Jefferson County classrooms, along with facilitated tours of our historic sites and in-classroom resources that connect students to local history and culture. Our programs spark curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of our region’s diverse stories.

Education Trunks

Native Peoples of the Olympic Peninsula

Developed in consultation with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, this trunk contains a variety of commissioned objects, books, games, and digital materials—all designed to cultivate understanding of the relationships between natural resources, culture, and traditions.

Educators can use this trunk to introduce the culture and traditions of Native Peoples of the Olympic Peninsula to students at a wide range of learning levels.

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Oral Histories of Jefferson County

Drawing from our own collection, this trunk contains selected audio excerpts of oral histories from Jefferson County residents between the early 1900s and present day.

This trunk includes a variety of digital resources and supporting objects intended to enhance hands-on learning.

Educators can use this trunk to introduce the topics of oral history, primary and secondary sources, the personal impact of geography, and how lived experiences fit within chronological timelines.

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JCHS Education Trunks are supported by the D. V. & Ida McEachern Charitable Trust

Education Tours + Programs

We regularly partner with schools and local and state organizations to provide experiential, place-based learning for students of all ages.

Some of our latest collaborations include:

Leading museum activities each spring for 8th grade classes from around Jefferson County as part of Northwest Maritime Center’s Maritime Discovery Program
Working with a cohort of high school students from all over the state to understand how youth can and should be represented in our museum exhibitions as part of Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2022 Youth Heritage Project
Hosting photography exhibitions by Port Townsend High School students who have recreated historic images from JCHS’s collection to illustrate the ongoing evolution of our area
Working with the Jefferson County Library to guest-host in-school programs across the county

Let's Learn

Are you an educator or part of an organization looking to enrich youth programs with local arts and heritage? Want to bring classroom lessons to life with immersive experiences? We’re here to help!

Contact our programs and education team at programs@jchsmuseum.com to explore opportunities for K-12 learners and educators.