For Educators

Education

The primary goal of the President James K. Polk State Historic Site is to share the history of our site, region, and namesake with visitors of all ages. Our educational mission is centered on two major themes:​ life in the Carolina Backcountry, as it was when Polk was a boy here, and President Polk's legacy.​ ​

When possible, we are happy to customize programming to best suit your group's needs. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

School Tours 

A field trip to the President James K. Polk SHS 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 as a child.  During their visit, students of all ages can 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. 

Each of our standard school tour options are tailored to specific grade levels, are linked to key standards, and can be customized based on what you know your students will benefit from the most.

Use our 2019-2020 Educator Packet to learn more about our school tour program and to prepare for your school group tour.

Basic School Tours- $6.00/student.* STEAM program- $10.00/student.

*Minimum of 10 students or $60.00 charge. Rate reductions available for Title 1 schools and those using Arts and Science Council funding. Additional charge for add-on experiences may apply. Contact Kate Moore (kate.moore@ncdcr.gov) with questions.

Click Here to See Our Available Dates

Classroom Resources

We offer three traveling trunks to supplement the educational needs of teachers in your own classroom. Each trunk focuses on a different aspect of social history related to our site and the region's history.  Please contact Kate Moore (kate.moore@ncdcr.gov) for individual trunk information.

19th Century School Day
Recommended for K-4th grade classrooms

Early Settlement of Mecklenburg County (1740's - 1770's)
Recommended for 4th & 5th grade classrooms

Life on the Farm
Recommended for 3rd-5th grade classrooms