The Eastside Heritage Center Education Department functions in a variety of ways. Besides offering an education-based perspective for EHC exhibit and collections development, education staff interface with schools, historic organizations and eastside communities.
Education staff develop theme-based, hands-on kits, called Treasure Boxes, that relate to eastside history. Many of the treasure boxes have been developed as the result of grant funding, and are aligned with the Washington State Social Studies curriculum standards. They are rentable and effective learning tools for classrooms, senior centers, scout groups and public programs. Education staff schedule, rent, and maintain the treasure boxes and slide shows.
They also develop and deliver classroom programs, field trips to specific sites, senior programs and public programs for all ages. The department circulates an Education Programs brochure to several local school districts to notify them of updated offerings.
Note: Click on the categories below to view more information.
What was it like in a pioneer household before running water and supermarkets? Enjoy a pioneer party where participants will churn butter, pump water, grind coffee beans, roll play dough bread, wash and hang clothes, play pioneer games, and clean the rugs with a rug beater. Eastside Heritage Center staff will bring the appropriate materials to your home or party location and will stay the length of the event to assist with all the activities. Pioneer parties are recommended for ages 3-10.
- Cost: $75 - $125, depending on size of group and length of party.
For reservations, contact EHC Education Coordinator at 425-450-1049 or email education@eastsideheritagecenter.org
Rent the Eastside Heritage Center's Treasure Box kits to experience hands-on activities that bring Eastside history to life! Use as a program enrichment opportunity. Each kit includes artifacts, photographs, literature and suggested activities. Appropriate for all ages. Renters are responsible for pick up and return of kits to the Eastside Heritage Center.
- FEE: $30 per kit for two weeks and $10 each additional week.
NOTE:
Optional 45 minute Classroom Presentations are available with Treasure Boxes.
- FEE (in addition to TB rental fee): $50 per presentation ($25 for EHC Members)
Optional (2 hour maximum) Field Trips are available with selected Treasure Boxes (see 'FT' designation). Your group supplies bus.
- FEE (in addition to TB rental fee): $75 ($37.50 for EHC Members)
Note: Click on the subject titles below to view more information.
Includes artifacts, activities, photographs, video and literature. Developed in 1997 in partnership with Lake Washington School District's Ben Rush Elementary School students and teachers. Suggested for Grade 4.
*Click here for full description and sample activities.
Focuses on the history of schools in Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond. Includes teacher/student versions of the story "The Little Red Schoolhouse" (the oldest schoolhouse building in Bellevue that has since burned), photographs, activities, background information and students' artwork. Developed in 1998 in partnership with Bellevue School District's Ardmore Elementary School teachers and students. Suggested for Grade 2.
*Click here for full description and sample activities.
Contains historical and modern artifacts that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Includes a descriptive card for each item, activities that promote an understanding of historical collections and involve users in the process of exhibit development.
*Click here for full description and sample activities.
Users can compare current and historic kitchen utensils and recipes as they discover how these have changed over time. Includes background information, photos and suggested activities.
*Click here for full description and sample activities.
This kit includes Local Salish Native American stories, audiotapes, games, artifacts, background information packet and suggested activities. Developed in partnership with Bellevue School District's Ardmore Elementary School teachers and students in 1998. Suggested for grade 4.
*Click here for full description and sample activities.
Logging, blacksmithing, shoemaking and measuring tools are featured in this kit that represents occupations of early days on the Eastside. Includes artifacts, photos, stories and interactive activities.
*Click here for full description and sample activities.
Depicts the life of a young girl in the late 1880's and early 1900's. Includes school lesson plans, slate, dresses, shoes, games and photographs.
*Click here for full description and sample activities.
Materials include resource books and primary source documents for each decade beginning with the 1930s through to the 2000s. By analyzing these historic materials, students will learn about the transformation of a farming community into an urban city, the creation and growth of city government, and Bellevue’s social and economic changes over time. This project was developed in 2007 as a partnership between Bellevue Public Schools and Eastside Heritage Center and funded with a 4Culture Education Grant.
 *These treasure boxes and programs are grant projects supported by 4 Culture Program and King County Hotel/Motel Tax Revenues.
Education Department History Props Kits For Rent
Items included in the History Props Kits are not found in the Education Department’s Treasure Boxes. They come from the Education Department’s collection of non-accessioned and acquired items. The purpose for offering these items for rent is to make them available for special occasions such as birthday parties, history fairs, theatre productions, and more.
*Click here for full description and rental fees.
These guided tours provide an opportunity to be immersed in the Eastside’s past and present.
Reservations are required at least three weeks in advance. Groups supply their own transportation. Contact the Education Department to set up the date, time, and tour details.
Historic Larsen Lake Cabin at the Lake Hills Greenbelt
$50 per group ($25 for EHC Members)
Historic Winters House at Mercer Slough Nature Park
$50 per group ($25 for EHC Members)
Eastside Coal Mining at Cougar Mountain Regional Park
$75 per group ($37.50 for EHC Members)
Eastside Schools at historical school sites
$75 per group ($37.50 for EHC Members)
Local Salish Life at Cougar Mountain Regional Park
$75 per group ($37.50 for EHC Members)
The Eastside Heritage Center has a variety of multimedia programs available.
FEE: $50 per program presentation by EHC staff or, $30 for a 2-week rental ($10 each additional week) of materials only, no EHC staff presentation included.
Reservations required at least two weeks in advance. Renters will need to pick up and return materials at the Eastside Heritage Center.
Note: Click on the subject titles below to view more information.
A 25-minute program exploring the history of the Eastside through transportation. How did people get around? Where were they going and what were they doing at different points in history? Includes written script. Appropriate for all ages.
A historical look at this region's first World's Fair. Appropriate for all ages.
Chronicles the effects of the lowering of Lake Washington on the eastside communities. Appropriate for all ages.
From Kirkland through Bellevue to Kennydale, Lake Washington has shaped and defined the communities that hug its eastern shore for nearly 150 years. Cities on the lake’s east side evolved from native Villages into homesteads, farms and mining settlements by the 1880s as pioneer families immigrated to Washington. With the advent of the innovative Lake Washington Floating Bridge in 1940, the wooden ferries that plied their trade on the lake faded into memory, and the eastern shore changed from a rural landscape of strawberry farms and horse trails to the upscale urban towns and neighborhoods evident today. This program explores the story of the development of cities and industry East of Lake Washington.
Appropriate for all ages.
Do you remember Farrell’s Ice Cream and Marvel Morgan’s? Frederick & Nelson’s at Bellevue Square? The John Danz Theatre and Shakey’s Pizza? Re-discover Bellevue from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Appropriate for all ages.
A 25-minute program chronicling the development and history of Bellevue from the 1860s through the present. Includes written script. Appropriate for all ages.
A 25-minute program chronicling the development and history of the Eastside from prehistory through the present. Includes written script. Appropriate for all ages.
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