Elks donate to Bonner County Historical Museum

When Linda Tatlock, Exalted Leader of the Sandpoint Elks was talking recently with Bonner County Historical Museum Curator Heather Upton, she learned about the museum's many wonderful programs.

"As youth education is part of the Elks mission, the Sandpoint Elks were in support of the museum and the Traveling Trunk Program," Tatlock said.

After a brief presentation to members, Sandpoint Elks were excited to learn about an opportunity to support youth education in the area, via the Traveling Trunks Program, she said.

"We applied for and received a Gratitude Grant from the Elks National Foundation and were thrilled to be able to donate this to the museum to continue the good works that they do," Tatlock added.

As part of the Elks Mission statement, the Elks serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.

Built on the concept of engaging students in primary sources, traveling trunks supplement textbooks in new and exciting ways. Each trunk contains hands-on objects, maps, artifacts, primary source documents, and lesson plans which provide an exciting exploration into various parts of history and locations throughout Bonner County. Bonner County History Museums’ Traveling Trunks is a program that offers interested teachers the opportunity to borrow free materials on teaching Idaho State and Bonner County History. The purpose is to supplement their existing curriculum and fulfill Common Core standards.

"What an amazing program for the local children," Tatlock said. "Not only to learn about local history, but to see, touch and experience history."