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Become an Educator Member

Have you ever wondered what life was like in early Dallas?


Your students become Dallas History Detectives when they step back in time and explore the many hands-on areas and historic homes. Each student is given a grade specific History Hunt, based on a scavenger hunt theme, filled with questions about the Village. Click here for an example of a History Hunt. All programs are TEKS-aligned.

Become actively engaged in history by hearing, seeing, touching and even smelling 19th century life. Grade-specific History Hunts with answers found throughout the Village will stimulate conversations. Your students’ experience is enhanced during “Living History” seasons when we highlight a historical idea or event. Discussions with costumed characters and exhibit information inside several buildings reveal how Dallas’ rich story has influenced and connected us to how we live today.

Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 "Living History"


Green Fields, Black Smoke: Nature & Progress When Dallas was Young

During “Living History Seasons,” characters dressed in period clothing reveal the environmental truths of 1888 Dallas. Through special exhibits and programming, we investigate if people really were “greener” in the nineteenth century and how life on the family farm was affected by the growth of industry. (This program was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.)

Click here for the Green Fields, Black Smoke: Nature & Progress When Dallas was Young pre-visit packet for teachers.

Teacher Resource Packets


TEKS-aligned resource packets include pre- and post-visit activities, games and recommended reading lists. To download your grade specific packet, you will need Adobe Reader. Please select your grade level for more details. For the 2000-2010 theme, the pre-visit packet is not grade specific.

• Green Fields, Black Smoke: Nature & Progress When Dallas was Young
• Pre-K
• Kindergarten
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
• 6th Grade
• 7th Grade
• 8th Grade

Exploring My Community (Pre-K - Kindergarten)



Students will discover the importance of the "Living History" seasonal theme and witness what life might have been like if you had lived in Dallas over 100 years ago.

• Learn the many customs and traditions of early Dallas life
• Discover different forms of shelter
• Explore the production of goods and services

Cultures Past and Present (1st Grade)



Students will discover the importance of the "Living History" seasonal theme and learn about the many cultures that are a part of Texas history. History Hunts will focus on the Section House, Shotgun House, Blum House and Miller Log Cabin.

• Learn about the many cultures that are a part of Texas history
• Discover how your life is different from those that lived in the past
• Explore the changes in technology of pioneer and Victorian times

Texas Frontier Life (2nd Grade)



Students will discover the importance of the "Living History" seasonal theme and uncover what it was like living on the Texas frontier. History Hunts will focus on the 1860s Farmstead, Miller Log House, Millermore, Pilot Grove Church and Carriage House (Livery).

• Learn how the land of North Texas shaped people’s lives
• Discover what life was like on the Texas frontier
• Explore animals and their role in rural life

Nineteenth Century Life (3rd Grade)



Students will discover the importance of the "Living History" seasonal theme and explore life in a small town at the end of the last century. History Hunts will focus on the Sullivan House, Worth Hotel, Renner School, Blum House and Main Street.

• Learn about the impact people have on their community
• Discover the effect of the railroad on the city of Dallas
• Explore life in a small town at the end of the last century

Gone to Texas (4th Grade)



Students will discover the importance of the "Living History" seasonal theme and discover why people settled in Texas and how they built their communities. History Hunts will focus on the Section House, Doctor's Office, Millermore and Main Street.

• Learn how and why people settled in Texas
• Discover how communities develop over time
• Explore the changes in technology of pioneer and Victorian times

Becoming a City (5th Grade - 6th Grade)



Students will discover the importance of the "Living History" seasonal theme and delve into the key developments that caused cities like Dallas to grow and change.

• Learn about the transition from agrarian to urban life in Dallas
• Discover the impact the railroad had on commerce and social change
• Explore how and why people immigrated to Dallas

Civil War Tales (7th Grade - 8th Grade)



Students will discover the importance of the "Living History" seasonal theme and identify some lasting effects of the Civil War on life in North Texas.

• Learn how people adapted to their environment in times of war
• Discover how Dallas evolved after Reconstruction and the coming of the railroad
• Explore how the Civil War affected the lives of civilians in North Texas