Neither ran, snow or sleet could keep St. Mary's and St. Matthew's fourth graders from taking their annual trip to Lincoln in March. There they toured the Nebraska State Historical Society, the State Capitol and Morrill Hall.
At the State Historical Society students were guided through "Building the State" and "The First Nebraskans" exhibits. They walked past Native American artifacts, a sod house display and sat in front of an Indian earth lodge learning how 30-40 people could live in that dwelling. The students also enjoyed the "Discovery Station" where they put on Indian clothing before entering a teepee; loaded a wagon being careful to not overload it, constructed a town of long ago or pretended to drive through the countryside stopping along the way to camp.
Next stop, the Sate Capitol Building where a delightful guide had the students sitting and laying down on the massive tile floors. They looked up, down and sideways at the magnificent floors, walls and ceilings that adorn our State Capitol. They toured the State Supreme Courtroom and the Senate Chambers once used when Nebraska was a two-chamber legislature.
Thanks to the Brokaw Marketing Firm and the Ag Council who treated everyone to a free lunch. During lunch, two UNL Ag students taught the young visitors all about Nebraska agriculture!
The last stop in Lincoln was Morrill Hall at UNL. The main, front exhibit was closed due to renovation, but that didn't keep everyone from enjoying three levels of displays. The visit ended with a planetarium show. Who could resist taking a photo outside by the mammoth statue before heading back to Bellevue?
The trip didn't end in Lincoln. Their final destination: the Holy Family Shrine near the Gretna exit.
They gathered in the visitor's center learned about the shrine's history, and then entered the chapel where they thanked God for their safe and wonderful trip and prayed a decade of the rosary. What a wonderful way to end your field trip.
For more photos click here.
