The Cook County Historical Society has been awarded a grant from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society for the purpose of upgrading and expanding its elementary school “Passport” program.
For over 10 years the program has provided Cook County elementary students and their teachers with information and support materials on approximately 20 local historical sites. Students visit each site and receive a stamp in their “passport.” Certificates and “Cook County Historian” patches are awarded to each student at the end of fifth grade.
Grant money will be used to add an online component with updated content and in-depth information, teaching tools, photographs, and fun activities. Additionally, the program will be expanded to include schools and youth countywide and to encourage collaboration between the county’s historical and interpretive organizations. Project Director Leah Thomas will be working with Museum Director Carrie McHugh and a volunteer task force to implement the expanded “Passport into the Past” program.
Leave a Reply