Freedom Box-Traveling Trunk
Dear Educator,
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is pleased to share with you our Freedom Box: The Underground Railroad Through Objects and Performance. Generously supported through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural (URR) Program, the Freedom Box contains objects, photographs, original theatrical scripts, books, movies and lesson plans for classroom use.
"The students were highly engaged the entire time." -Jennie Kendall 2nd Grade Teacher, Ruth Moyer Elementary School
During the 1800s, estimates suggest that more than 100,000 enslaved people sought freedom through the Underground Railroad. It wasn't a real railroad with tracks and trains. The Underground Railroad was a term used to describe the secret routes enslaved men, women and children took to gain their freedom. Those who escaped often obtained help and protection from free Blacks, Whites, Native Americans -- and other slaves -- who acted as conductors and provided food and shelter along the way. This 19th century freedom movement challenged the way Americans viewed slavery and freedom. Our hope is that this Freedom Box will convey the lessons of courage, cooperation and perseverance that continue to resonate today.
For your convenience, museum educators at the Freedom Center designed lesson plans and activities that can be used either as a complete unit plan or as individual activities to enhance your classroom curriculum. The enclosed materials were created using the Backward Design method, keeping in mind essential questions, understandings and goals of the skills and knowledge essential to comprehending the Underground Railroad. The Performance Task that accompanies the Freedom Box can be implemented in a variety of ways, and includes opportunities for differentiated instruction. Please remember to share with us your thoughts/questions/concerns regarding this Freedom Box on our enclosed Educator Evaluation. Also, feel free to keep the sheet entitled, "Further Educator Resources," for future reference.
To learn more about educational programming at the Freedom Center, please call (513) 333-7500.
Sincerely,
Education Team
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Freedom Box Policies and Procedures
To reserve the Freedom Box, email or call Kieli Ferguson, kferguson@nurfc.org or 513-333-7570. We will need your mailing address at time of reservation.
The Freedom Box is loaned on a ONE or TWO WEEK basis by reservation only. Because the box is in its prototype phase, and we have only two, it is important to return the box on time.
The box is shipped by U.S. Mail - Library Rate. Shipping costs vary according to your location. If you live within easy driving distance, the box can be picked up from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. To arrange pick-up, email or call Kieli Ferguson, kferguson@nurfc.org or 513-333-7570.
The borrower is responsible for paying the shipping costs to receive the trunk and returning it to the Freedom Center.
Shipping Procedures
Go to your local post office and provide them with the address and zip code of the Freedom Center along with the weight and dimensions of the trunk.
Obtain a POSTAL MONEY ORDER ONLY at your local post office for the shipping cost from us to you. Make money order payable to POSTMASTER, Cincinnati, OH.
Mail the money order to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202. When the Freedom Center receives the money order, the trunk will be shipped to you by U.S. Mail - Library Rate. IF THE FREEDOM CENTER DOES NOT RECEIVE YOUR MONEY ORDER 2 1/2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DATE YOU HAVE THE TRUNK RESERVED, YOUR RESERVATION WILL BE CANCELLED.
Return Procedures
Complete the Freedom Box Inventory List to ensure that all resources are included.
Pull out the label that was addressed to you on the outside of the box and reverse it so that the Freedom Center address is showing.
Ship by U.S. Mail - Library Rate.
