Limberlost state historic site

for educators

Land of the Limberlost

The Limberlost swamp was the perfect laboratory for Gene Stratton-Porter to study nature. In a time when most women were homemakers, Gene created a lasting legacy of northern Indiana’s vanishing natural history through her published novels, nature studies and photographs.

Natural History

Art

Science

Reading & Writing

202 6th Street, Geneva, IN 46740, USA

School Group Tours

PreK-12

Admission is FREE for pre-registered, accredited schools or homeschool groups of 10 or more K-12 students. Free admission includes teachers and bus drivers, plus one additional adult chaperone per every five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate of $7/person.

Contact site for non-Indiana student rate.

Pre-registration required at least two weeks in advance.

 

The school group tour includes a guided tour of the Limberlost cabin where your students will learn about the home and natural environment that inspired Gene Stratton-Porter to write her bestsellers. Discover Indiana’s original ecosystem and Gene’s role as a naturalist, and see how technology, culture and family life has evolved since the late 19th century.

Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: 4.1.9, 4.2.8, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 5.3.11, 6.1.19, 6.1.20, 6.3.13, 6.3.16, 6.5.5, 6.5.7, 6.5.9, 8.1.27, 8.1.28, 8.1.31, 8.3.9, 8.5.3, 8.5.6, SS 8.5.7, SS 8.5.8; Language Arts: 6.2.3, 8.3.7; Science: 4.1.7, 4.4.7, 4.6.4, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.1.6, 6.1.5, 6.3.16, 7.1.5, 7.1.6, 8.1.8; Art: 4.1.1, 4.3.2, 4.12.2, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.12.2, 6.1.1, 6.12.2, 6.13.1, 7.1.1, 7.12.2, 7.13.1, 8.1.1, 8.12.2, 8.13.1; US History: USH.9.1, USH.9.2; Language Arts: 9.3.12, 10.2.1, 10.3.12, 11.2.5, 12.2.5; Biology: B.1.39, B.1.41; Environmental Science: ENV.1.2, ENV.1.4, ENV.1.5, ENV.1.6, ENV.1.30; ART: H.1.1, H.1.2, H.12.2, H.13.1

LIMBERLOST WETLAND SCHOOL GROUP TOUR

PreK-12
Sept.-Oct. and April-May
Length: 30-60 minutes, depending on grade level
Fee: $2.50/student

Students will discover the plants and animals that inspired Gene to become a leading naturalist of her time.

Indiana Academic Standards: Science: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, K.LS.3, 1.LS.3, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.1 , 4.LS.2, 5.LS.2, 6.LS.2, 6.LS.3, 6.LS.5, ES-2.1, ES-3.2,ES-3.8, ES-5.3, ES6.1; ENV.1.1.,ENV.1.2,ENV.2.1, ENV.2.3, ENV.5.1, ENV.5.2, ENV.5.5, ENV.6.3, ENV.6.4, ENV.8.2

Explore Programs

Whether it’s at the site, outreach or virtual, we offer hands-on, exploratory and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards.

AT SITE or OUTREACH

Dependent upon availability of staff and volunteers
Length: 45-60 minutes
Max. number of students: 25
Fee: $2.50/student
Travel fees: 30-60 miles=$20; 60-90 miles=$40; 90+ miles=$60

VIRTUAL

Length: varies
Cost: varies
Call site at 260.368.7428 for info.

 

BIRDS OF THE LIMBERLOST

PreK-12
At site, outreach

Discover the many types of birds that Gene Stratton-Porter, who was known as the “Bird Woman,” studied and photographed while exploring the Limberlost Swamp. Students will explore skulls and feathers during this interactive program.

Indiana Academic Standards: Science: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, K.LS.3, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.3, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.2, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.2, 6.LS.3, 6.LS.5, 8.LS.5, 8.LS. 7, 8.LS.8, 8.LS.9, B.5.4, ENV.5.1, ENV.5.2, IS.1.38, IS.3.4, IS.5.8

MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST

PreK-12
At site, outreach

Learn about the types of moths Gene featured in her book, “Moths of the Limberlost.” Then investigate moth-related items, such as cocoons and moth specimens.

Indiana Academic Standards: Science: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, K.LS.3, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.3, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.2, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.2, 6.LS.3, 6.LS.5, 8.LS.5, 8.LS. 7, 8.LS.8, 8.LS.9, B.5.4, ENV.5.1, ENV.5.2, IS.1.38, IS.3.4, IS.5.8

MYSTERY VEST WILDLIFE PROGRAM

Grades 1-5
At site, outreach

This interactive program allows randomly selected students to choose a pocket on the mystery vest worn by the facilitator. As different items are unveiled, the facilitator will engage students through stories about each wildlife-related item.

Indiana Academic Standards: Science: 1.LS.3, 1.LS.4, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.2, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.1, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.1, 5.LS.3

THE LIFE OF GENE STRATTON-PORTER

Grades 4-12
Virtual, at site, outreach

Explore the life and career of Indiana’s most widely read female author. Find out how Gene’s works were influenced by nature and how she brought the Limberlost Swamp and nature to readers around the world.

Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: 4.1.9, 4.2.8, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 5.3.11, 6.1.19, 6.1.20, 6.3.13, 6.3.16, 6.5.5, 6.5.7, 6.5.9, 8.1.27, 8.1.28, 8.1.31, 8.3.9, 8.5.3, 8.5.6, SS 8.5.7, SS 8.5.8; Language Arts: 6.2.3, 8.3.7; Science: 4.1.7, 4.4.7, 4.6.4, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.1.6, 6.1.5, 6.3.16, 7.1.5, 7.1.6, 8.1.8; Art: 4.1.1, 4.3.2, 4.12.2, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.12.2, 6.1.1, 6.12.2, 6.13.1, 7.1.1, 7.12.2, 7.13.1, 8.1.1, 8.12.2, 8.13.1; US History: USH.9.1, USH.9.2; Language Arts: 9.3.12, 10.2.1, 10.3.12, 11.2.5, 12.2.5; Biology: B.1.39, B.1.41; Environmental Science: ENV.1.2, ENV.1.4, ENV.1.5, ENV.1.6, ENV.1.30; ART: H.1.1, H.1.2, H.12.2, H.13.1

Gene Stratton-Porter Portrait

Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Program Guide