Limberlost, Geneva

NORTH REGION

FALL 2021 – SUMMER 2022

LIMBERLOST

Land of the Limberlost

The Limberlost swamp was the perfect laboratory for Gene Stratton-Porter to study nature. In a time when most women were homemakers, Gene created a lasting legacy of northern Indiana’s vanishing natural history through her published novels, nature studies and photographs.

Natural history, environmental science, multidisciplinary learning to combine art, science, reading and writing from 1880s-1913 Picnic tables available with advanced notice

Virtual school programs available

202 E. Sixth St., Geneva, IN 46740 260.368.7428 limberlostshs@indianamuseum.org indianamuseum.org/limberlost

SCHOOL GROUP TOURS

K-Grade 12

Fee: Admission is FREE for pre-registered, accredited schools or homeschool groups of 10 or more K-12 students. Free admission includes teachers and bus drivers, plus one additional adult chaperone per every five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate of $6/person.

Contact site for non-Indiana student rate.

Pre-registration required at least two weeks in advance.

The school group tour includes a guided tour of the Limberlost Cabin where your students will learn about the home and natural environment that inspired Gene Stratton-Porter to write her bestsellers. Discover Indiana’s original ecosystem and Gene’s role as a naturalist, and see how technology, culture and family life has evolved since the late 19th century.

LIMBERLOST WETLAND SCHOOL GROUP TOUR PreK-Grade 12 September-October and April-May Length: 30-60 minutes, depending on grade level Fee: $2/student

Your students will discover the plants and animals that inspired Gene to become a leading naturalist of her time.

CONNECT CONNECT programs allow you to explore one of our 11 locations across the state in the comfort of your classroom or home with a free, 30-minute live virtual broadcast in place of a fieldtrip. See all CONNECT programs across the state.

GENE STRATTON PORTER’S CABIN AND LIFE IN THE LIMBERLOST SWAMP 1863-1913 Grades 3-12 2021 dates: Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15 2022 dates: Feb. 16, March 16, April 20 11:00 a.m.

Take a brief virtual tour of the inside of Gene’s cabin and learn about some of the unique traits she designed for each space. Q&A session will follow to help students learn more about Gene and her work.

Indiana Academic Standards

Schedule by calling 260.368.7428 or emailing limberlostshs@indianamuseum.org.

EXPLORE Whether it’s at the site, outreach or virtual, we offer hands-on, exploratory and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards. See next page for topics.

AT SITE or OUTREACH DETAILS Length: 45-60 minutes Max. number of students: 25 Cost: $2/student Travel fees: 30-60 miles=$20; 60-90 miles=$40; 90+ miles=$60

VIRTUAL DETAILS Length: varies Cost: varies

LIMBER JIM WILDLIFE PROGRAM PreK-Grade 6 Available: at site, outreach

Students can learn about the wildlife that Limber Jim encountered while he was lost in the Limberlost Swamp during this hands-on, interactive program. Limber Jim brings along many items such as skulls and furs for the students to see, touch and inquire about.

Indiana Academic Standards

BIRDS OF THE LIMBERLOST PreK-Grade 12 Available: at site, outreach

Discover the many types of birds that Gene Stratton-Porter, who was known as the “Bird Woman,” studied and photographed while exploring the Limberlost Swamp. Students will explore skulls and feathers during this interactive program.

Indiana Academic Standards

MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST PreK-Grade 12 Available: at site, outreach

Learn about the types of moths Gene featured in her book “Moths of the Limberlost.” Then, investigate moth-related items, such as cocoons and moth specimens.

Indiana Academic Standards

SNAKE ON THE SCREEN K-Grade 5 Available: virtual Wednesday through Friday. Two-weeks advanced notice needed to conduct program on Monday or Tuesday. Fee: $150/session includes classroom kit; $100/additional session in same day

Snakes alive! Learn all about snakes, their role in the ecosystem and their history in the Limberlost Swamp. Get an up-close look at some snakes and even make your own!

The program can be conducted for classes/groups or offered as a virtual program that individuals can register for. Classroom kits consist of printed snake identification sheets, make-your-own snake activity kits, shed snakeskin (if available) and a list of reference books on snakes.

Indiana Academic Standards

GENE STRATTON-PORTER ODDITIES K-Grade 12 Year-round, Wednesday through Friday. Two-weeks advanced notice needed to conduct program on Monday or Tuesday. Fee: $50/session

Gene was an avid collector of a variety of items. Learn about some of the more unusual artifacts in Gene’s collections and get a peek into the collections that might go unnoticed.

Indiana Academic Standards

SWAMP LIFE K-Grade 12 Available: virtual Wednesday through Friday. Two-weeks advanced notice needed to conduct program on Monday or Tuesday. Fee: $75/session

Learn about the different creatures that call the Limberlost Swamp home. From beavers to moths to birds, students will learn what animals used to, and still do, call the swamp home. Classroom packets consist of printed identification sheets, a map of

the Limberlost Swamp and a list of reference books on wetlands and mammals.

Indiana Academic Standards

MYSTERY VEST WILDLIFE PROGRAM Grades 1–5 Available: at site, outreach

This interactive program allows students who are randomly selected to choose a pocket on the mystery vest worn by the facilitator. As different items are unveiled, the facilitator will engage students through stories about each wildlife-related item.

Indiana Academic Standards

ICE AGE AND THE LIMBERLOST Grades 1–12 Available: at site, outreach

Discover what the Limberlost area was like when Indiana was covered in ice sheets millions of years ago! Learn how the Ice Age glaciers created the modern Limberlost and find out what Ice Age animals lived in the area.

Indiana Academic Standards

THE LIFE OF GENE STRATTON-PORTER Grades 4–12 Available: at site, outreach

Explore the life and career of Indiana’s most widely read female author. Find out how Gene’s works were influenced by nature and how she brought the Limberlost Swamp and nature to readers around the world.

Indiana Academic Standards