Students are given a photograph of a person and take on the role of detective as they investigate the lives of people in the past century traveling through the Wood Museum of Springfield History. As they move through the different galleries they listen for their individual clue words as their guide reveals the history of various places as mysteries are reveled in how their person was connected to a particular business depicted in a display in the museum galleries. Students then read a brief historical fiction piece related to their chosen person and discuss their findings with their fellow sleuths as they share their character’s connection to factory work, education, leisure, and historic neighborhoods.

Grades 5-8
Program Length: 1 1/2 hours
Capacity: 60