Enhance the educational experience of your students by learning about Pricketts Fort and West Virginia history. Whether exploring history in the classroom or planning a field trip to Pricketts Fort, we have created resources to assist teachers in developing a wonderful learning opportunity.

Curriculum guides include lesson plans, pre- and post-visit ideas, craft and internet activities, and background materials. The curriculum ties into West Virginia social studies content and is applicable to a wide variety of courses and age levels.  

In addition to the lessons below, the Foundation has a new hands-on, arts based program called  Teaching History Through the Arts. Take a moment to browse the website and discover the unique educational benefit of this innovative approach of teaching history through art.

Frontier Line 1763 Proclamation

13 Colonies 1775

Colonial America Outline Map 1976 [PDF]

North and South Map 1861

Dear Teacher
Credits

Evaluation forms:

• Teacher Evaluation
• Student Evaluation

Unit One:
• Unit One
• Unit One. A. Pretest Posttest
• Unit One. B. Museum Etiquette
• Unit One. C. Scavenger Hunt

Unit Two:
• Unit Two
• Unit Two. A. Buffalo Dusk
• Unit Two. B. Word Search

Unit Three:
• Unit Three
• Unit Three. A. Word Search
• Unit Three. B. Begging Sticks

Unit Four:
• Unit Four
• Unit Four. A. My West Virginia Family History
• Unit Four. B. Comparative Timeline 
• Unit Four. C. Word Search
• Unit Four. D. Photo Scavenger Hunt
• Unit Four. E. The Prickett Family History

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to Pricketts Fort
• Background and History
• Important Dates
• The Architecture
• Area Forts
• Native People of the Eastern Woodlands
• 18th Century Clothing
• Blacksmithing of the 18th Century
• The Gunsmith and His Shop

Teaching History Through the Arts is a hands-on arts-based curriculum designed to teach 18th and 19th century history. Teachers are provided background history and pre-visit material to prepare students for the lesson. A costumed artisan leads the hands-on activity and provides all of the necessary materials. These activities can take place in the classroom or at Pricketts Fort. Post-visit suggestions and assessment are provided for teachers, along with specific content's connection to language arts, social science, art, and 21st century learning standards. Teacher Institutes are offered periodically to introduce educators to the resources available for their classrooms. THTA (historythrougharts.org)

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Historic Arts Workshops

Historic Arts Workshops are open to all ages who want to learn more about specific processes that are taught by Fort interpreters or area artisans. Offerings range from blacksmithing, gun maintenance, spinning, dyeing, basketry, herb gardening and more. Quarterly offerings are promoted to members through The Gate Post and are listed on the Events page for the entire year.

See the Shopping page to register.

For more information, contact the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation.

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A field trip to the Fort provides a perfect opportunity for students to compare and contrast 18th century frontier life and 19th century Civil War era to their contemporary lives today. Students who visit the Fort will be introduced to frontier men's and women's skills including weaving, spinning, blacksmithing, gunsmithing and pottery. American Indian traditions and the fur trade are also discussed. A stop in the Visitor Center will add an orientation exhibit and time in the museum shop. Many classes take advantage of the State Park's recreational facilities and enjoy a picnic while they are here.

Outreach Programs

Outreach programs are available for schools that are unable to visit Pricketts Fort.   These programs can be customized to the school's needs and can be arranged by contacting the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation.

For more information, contact the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation.

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Disclaimer: These links are provided for our visitors' convenience. They are external to this website and the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation is not responsible for their contents.

History

18th century longhunters discussion group
Early American Colonial Forts
Oral History
Folk Life
Native Americans
Colonial Williamsburg
Frontier Living
West Virginia New Deal
National New Deal Preservation Association

Education

Fairmont State GEAR-UP

State of West Virginia

WV State Parks info
WV State Tourism info
WV Historical info
WVAM West Virginia Association of Museums
West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State
West Virginia Humanities
West Virginia Division of Culture and History
Museums of West Virginia
Council of West Virginia Archaeology
Goldenseal, The Magazine of WV traditional life

Local Tourism and Travel

Prickett's Fort State Park
Convention & Visitors Bureau of Marion County (Fairmont Area)
Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission
Mon River Trails Conservancy
Jacob Prickett Jr. Log House

Regional Tourism and Travel

Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau
Greater Bridgeport Conference & Visitors Center
West Virginia Hotels and Motels

Nearby Historical Sites and Museums

Arthurdale Heritage Center
Marion County Historical Society and Museum
Adaland Mansion
Jackson's Mill Historic Area

National Museums and Historical Organizations

American Association for State and Local History
American Association of Museums
Association of Living History Farms & Agricultural Museums
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Small Museum Association
Association of Living History, Farm and Agriculture Museums
International Council of Museums

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Special Events

Special Events are scheduled throughout the year for the general public and school groups. Exciting, themed events like Civil War Day, Sheep to Shawl, Fall Festival, Dairy Day, and Traditional Music Day bring additional value and focus to a Pricketts Fort visit.   An outdoor theater hosts a number of concerts and theatrical productions during the summer months. For details on specific offerings see the Fort Events listing.

For more information, contact the Pricketts Fort Memorial Foundation.

What's happening at Pricketts Fort

Experience the pioneering spirit of early settlers as we present you with a glimpse of Pricketts Fort State Park. See the landmarks and meet historical interpreters just as they appear at the Fort today. Learn about the history of the Fort. But be prepared; we think once you've seen the video, you'll just have to come experience Pricketts Fort for yourself.

The player will show in this paragraph

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