History Archives - PORTS Program

Mission Life at San Juan Bautista

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, History, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

Mission Life at San Juan Bautista Learn about the rich history of mission life at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park with this captivating PORTS program for students of all ages. The program provides a thorough examination of the history of Spanish missions in... Read MoreRead more about Mission Life at San Juan Bautista

Reservoirs and Water Pipes: History and How They Work

3-5, History, K-2, Lake Perris State Recreation Area, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Reservoirs and Water Pipes: History and How They Work Join us for a lakeside adventure at Lake Perris State Recreation Area as we explore the history of the the lake and the State Water Project. We will explore the reason we have a lake here, and how it works to... Read MoreRead more about Reservoirs and Water Pipes: History and How They Work

Once Upon a Redwood

3-5, Animals, History, K-2, Plants, PORTS Programs, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Science

Once Upon a Redwood Step into the story of the tallest trees with Once Upon a Redwood! In this interactive virtual program, student will uncover the missing chapters of the redwood forest's story in Redwood National and State Park and explore how these ancient trees... Read MoreRead more about Once Upon a Redwood

Understanding Hydroelectricity at the Folsom Powerhouse

6-8, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, STEAM

Understanding Hydroelectricity at the Folsom Powerhouse Join us for an electrifying program about the power of the past here at Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park! During this program, we will learn all about the three main elements: water (movement), magnets, and... Read MoreRead more about Understanding Hydroelectricity at the Folsom Powerhouse

Building the California Delta: A Story of Chinese Immigration and Agriculture

3-5, Arts and Culture, History, Locke Boarding House, People, Plants, PORTS Programs

Building the California Delta: A Story of Chinese Immigration and Agriculture Join us as we explore the most complete example of a rural Chinese agricultural community in the United States! In this program, we will explore the Locke Boarding House Museum to discuss... Read MoreRead more about Building the California Delta: A Story of Chinese Immigration and Agriculture

Hi Up House: Resilience in the Canyon

3-5, History, People, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM, Wildwood Canyon State Park

Hi Up House: Resilience in the Canyon This program is available in the spring semester only. This program uses the story of the McCollough family and the Hi-Up House, built in Wildwood Canyon during the Great Depression, to explore universal themes. Through a... Read MoreRead more about Hi Up House: Resilience in the Canyon

Water: California’s Most Precious Resource

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Climate, History, Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, Oceans and Watersheds, PORTS Programs

Water: California’s Most Precious Resource Come along as we explore how agriculture in California’s Central Valley demand for water led to the creation of one of the world's largest water infrastructure projects to quench the industries thirst. In this program... Read MoreRead more about Water: California’s Most Precious Resource

Industrial History of Corral Hollow: From Coal to Clay

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Industrial History of Corral Hollow: From Coal to Clay PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Join us for a trip back in time to over 125 years ago to the first coal mines in California and the long lost Brick Factory at Carnegie State... Read MoreRead more about Industrial History of Corral Hollow: From Coal to Clay

Ethnic Studies Lesson: The Life and Legacy of Pío Pico, The Last Governor of Mexican California

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, History, Instructional Resources, People, Pio Pico State Historic Park, State Parks

Ethnic Studies Lesson: Exploring Colonel Allensworth, A Historic Journey Through Time

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Ethnic Studies Lesson: Exploring Alaxuluxen and Chumash Heritage

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

California Redwoods vs. Climate Change

Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Hendy Woods State Park, History, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Small Actions, BIG TREES: The Story of the Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia Forests

Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, History, People, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Fire! A California Story

Animals, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Columbia State Historic Park, History, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

The Cost of Gold: Environmental Impacts of the Gold Rush

Animals, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Climate, Columbia State Historic Park, History, Plants, Previous Broadcasts, Science

Working Hands: The Labor that Built the California Dream

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, California Citrus State Historic Park, History, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs

Working Hands: The Labor that Built the California Dream Explore the work and the workers that created the massive success of the California citrus industry. Follow your guide through the citrus groves and packing house to learn about the contributions of various... Read MoreRead more about Working Hands: The Labor that Built the California Dream

Japanese History Project: Japanese Farm Sites at Crystal Cove State Park

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Crystal Cove State Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Screenshot of virtual exhibit for japanese community voices at Crystal Cove

Interactive Virtual Exhibit: Japanese American Pioneering Community at Crystal Cove State Park

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Crystal Cove State Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Travelers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Donner Memorial State Park, History, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Travelers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Join a Donner Memorial State Park Interpreter sharing stories of the diversity of people who came through the Donner Lake area in the Sierra Nevada... Read MoreRead more about Travelers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Collections Show and Tell with Chino Hills State Park

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Chino Hills State Park, History, K-2, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Collections Show and Tell with Chino Hills State Park Take a casual virtual visit into Chino Hills State Park history and nature with interpreter Shelly In this 30 minute program. We will look at bones, plant and bug specimens, art exhibits, and the park itself. We... Read MoreRead more about Collections Show and Tell with Chino Hills State Park

Geology at Tomales Bay: Tectonic Plates, Fault Lines, and Rocks

3-5, 6-8, History, Oceans and Watersheds, People, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM, Tomales Bay State Park

Geology at Tomales Bay: Tectonic Plates, Fault Lines, and Rocks Ever wondered what’s going on beneath your feet? Join California State Parks staff for a 45-minute virtual geology program exploring how the San Andreas Fault quite literally ‘rocks the bay’ at Tomales... Read MoreRead more about Geology at Tomales Bay: Tectonic Plates, Fault Lines, and Rocks

Following the Paper Trail

3-5, Animals, Arts and Culture, Climate, History, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Science

Following the Paper Trail Learn about California's first paper mill at Samuel P. Taylor State Park! Following a paper trail is about finding and analyzing evidence to understand how something happened and who was involved. It may sound simple on paper, but this mill... Read MoreRead more about Following the Paper Trail

Community Voices: Japanese American Experiences at Crystal Cove State Park

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Crystal Cove State Park, History, Instructional Resources, People, State Parks

Aerial view of two gray whales swimming together and exhaling from blowholes.

The Gray Whale Road Trip at Point Dume State Beach!

3-5, Animals, Climate, History, K-2, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Point Dume State Beach, PORTS Programs, Science

The Gray Whale Road Trip at Point Dume State Beach! PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Gray whales migrate along the shores of Malibu every year in an ever-changing environment. This program gives an in depth look at what this... Read MoreRead more about The Gray Whale Road Trip at Point Dume State Beach!

A white house with a white door in the center and wooden stairs leading up to it. On either side there is a white window with yellow shutters and a green shrub underneath.

Monterey Custom House: Trade and Government in Alta California

3-5, Arts and Culture, History, Latino Heritage Month, Monterey State Historic Park, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Monterey Custom House: Trade and Government in Alta California PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Explore California State Historical Landmark #1 here at Monterey State Historic Park. The Custom House was the center of trade at a... Read MoreRead more about Monterey Custom House: Trade and Government in Alta California

In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, Climate, History, Places, Plants, Science, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area Explore the Water Cycle at Silverwood Lake SRA! During this two hour fieldtrip, students will learn where all of California's water comes from, through the establishment of The California Water Project.... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

In-Person Field Trip: Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum Tour

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, K-2, Lake Perris State Recreation Area, People

In-Person Field Trip: Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum Tour Explore the Regional Indian Museum at Lake Perris! Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum TourStudents will learn about the history and culture of the tribal groups represented at the Ya'i Heki'... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trip: Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum Tour

Mount Tamalpais In-Person Field Trip

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, Mount Tamalpais State Park, People, Places, Plants

Mount Tamalpais In-Person Field Trip Explore the Panoramic Mount Tam! ount Tamalpais State Park is a large, beautiful mountain park in Marin County. Though not far from the heart of San Francisco, Mt Tam, as it is affectionately nicknamed, offers miles and miles of... Read MoreRead more about Mount Tamalpais In-Person Field Trip

State Capitol Exploration

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, California State Capitol Museum, History, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs

State Capitol Exploration Take your students on a LIVE journey discussing California's past & present through the halls of the State Capitol Museum in Sacramento. Subjects discussed may include California History, Capitol History, and the modern-day basics of the... Read MoreRead more about State Capitol Exploration

The american river pictured from above with beautiful yellow, orange and green trees lining the river, at dawn with purple pink clouds in the sky.

The History of Coloma Told Through Trees

3-5, History, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

The History of Coloma Told Through Trees Join us at Marshall Gold Discovery SHP as we explore the history of the Coloma Valley before, during and after the Discovery of Gold. During our program, the trees of the Coloma Valley help us tell the story of the gold rush... Read MoreRead more about The History of Coloma Told Through Trees

Olompali State Historic Park In-Person Field Trip

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, Olompali State Historic Park, People, Places

Olompali State Historic Park In-Person Field Trip Explore Olompali State Historic Park! Two guided field trip types are offered at Olompali State Historic Park, and each can be tailored to meet educational needs and student abilities. Teachers who would like to... Read MoreRead more about Olompali State Historic Park In-Person Field Trip

Cultures in Conflict at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

Cultures in Conflict at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park Virtually walk through the adobe building at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park to understand the impacts of the California mission system on the world of Ohlone and Yokuts people. This one-hour... Read MoreRead more about Cultures in Conflict at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

a shark tooth fossil peeks out from the sand

Seafloor to Seashore – Finding Fossils at Seacliff

3-5, Animals, History, K-2, PORTS Programs, Science, Seacliff State Beach

Seafloor to Seashore – Finding Fossils at Seacliff How did fossils from the seafloor end up in the cliffs at Seacliff State Beach? During this 45-minute virtual program, students (grades 2-4) will become paleontologists and investigate how fossils are made and... Read MoreRead more about Seafloor to Seashore – Finding Fossils at Seacliff

Growing Up on a Mexican Rancho

3-5, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State Historic Park

Growing Up on a Mexican Rancho Explore the Mexican Rancho period of California history while learning about the Castro family who were some of the first pioneers in Alta California. You will also have an opportunity to explore the 175-year-old two story adobe hacienda... Read MoreRead more about Growing Up on a Mexican Rancho

a boy in a blue and grey flannel shirt pokes a fire at the blacksmith shop

A Hard Day’s Work on the Ranch

3-5, History, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Wilder Ranch State Historic Park

A Hard Day’s Work on the Ranch Living on a dairy ranch in the year 1900 took a lot of hard work and required working together as a team to be successful. This virtual program explores some of the chores that children would have been expected to help with. Your... Read MoreRead more about A Hard Day’s Work on the Ranch

Immigrants Voices

https://www.immigrant-voices.aiisf.org/#new_tab

Immigrants Voices

Angel Island State Park, History, Instructional Resources, People

Photo of historic classroom at Allensworth State Historic Park

Allensworth: A California African American Town

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Allensworth: A California African American Town Welcome to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. In 1908, Colonel Allen Allensworth and four other settlers established a town in California’s Great Central... Read MoreRead more about Allensworth: A California African American Town

Sutter’s Fort Through Time

3-5, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

Sutter’s Fort Through Time Join us for a journey back in time to the 1840s and discover how California’s story began at Sutter’s Fort! Located in the heart of Midtown Sacramento, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park helps us explore the early days of Sacramento and... Read MoreRead more about Sutter’s Fort Through Time

Tule Elk: One of California’s Largest Land Mammals

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, History, K-2, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, Tule Elk State Natural Reserve

Tule Elk: One of California’s Largest Land Mammals The Tule Elk State Natural Reserve protects a small herd of tule elk, an endemic California subspecies of elk once hunted nearly to extinction. Tule elk once dominated the deer and pronghorn population that... Read MoreRead more about Tule Elk: One of California’s Largest Land Mammals

Connecting with Ancient Civilizations at Hearst Castle

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Hearst Castle at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, History, People, PORTS Programs

Connecting with Ancient Civilizations at Hearst Castle During this 45-60 min program, your students will explore the mythology, the art, and the architecture of ancient civilizations. Statues such as the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet will transport students 3000 years back... Read MoreRead more about Connecting with Ancient Civilizations at Hearst Castle

Step Back in Time at La Purisima Mission

3-5, History, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Step Back in Time at La Purisima Mission Participate in a historical journey at La Purísima Mission State Historic Park to learn about the history of California missions and the hardships endured by the Chumash people under Spanish rule at La Purisima Mission. Located... Read MoreRead more about Step Back in Time at La Purisima Mission

Days of Alta California at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park (English or Spanish)

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, History, Latino Heritage Month, People, Places, PORTS Programs, San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

Days of Alta California at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park (English or Spanish) PORTS Program registration begins Monday, August 24 at 3:30 pm! Bienvenidos! This program explores Mexican Alta California and its people in a 40-minute discovery of San Juan... Read MoreRead more about Days of Alta California at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park (English or Spanish)

Legacy of Bidwell Mansion: Historical Gadgets Through Time

3-5, Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, History, Places, PORTS Programs

Legacy of Bidwell Mansion: Historical Gadgets Through Time "What is a gadget? How many gadgets did you use today? How are they different than the gadgets we may have used 150 years ago? Get a glimpse into the life of someone from the past by examining Victorian... Read MoreRead more about Legacy of Bidwell Mansion: Historical Gadgets Through Time

Voices of the Gold Rush Past

3-5, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Shasta State Historic Park

Voices of the Gold Rush Past Shasta State Historic Park: Voices of the Gold Rush Past: Shasta Cemetery Tour. Six miles west of Redding a row of old, half-ruined, brick buildings remind passing motorists that Shasta City, the lusty “Queen City” of California’s northern... Read MoreRead more about Voices of the Gold Rush Past

Black and white photo of a gentleman using a long stick to pull tar from a barrel.

Tar, Not Just a Nuisance!

3-5, 6-8, Animals, Carpinteria State Beach, Climate, History, Oceans and Watersheds, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Science

Tar, Not Just a Nuisance! Let’s discover the active tar seeps at Carpinteria State Beach! Students will learn about why and how tar continues to seep on our coast. We will then observe a series of historical or modern scenes of tar and discuss and decide whether this... Read MoreRead more about Tar, Not Just a Nuisance!

Stop! Hammer Time!: Blacksmithing in 19th Century San Diego

3-5, 6-8, Arts and Culture, History, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, People, Places, PORTS Programs, Science, STEAM

Stop! Hammer Time!: Blacksmithing in 19th Century San Diego Step into the past as you follow us on an awesome adventure through an 1800 blacksmith shop at Old Town Old town San Diego State Historic Park. In this program students can discover the history, origins, and... Read MoreRead more about Stop! Hammer Time!: Blacksmithing in 19th Century San Diego

In-Person Field Trips to Angel Island State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Angel Island State Park, Arts and Culture, Blended-Access Field Trips, History, People, Places

In-Person Field Trips to Angel Island State Park Explore - Angel Island State Park's Immigration Station The walls of the detention barracks at the U.S. Immigration Station, Angel Island are filled with poetry, written and carved by immigrants expressing their... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips to Angel Island State Park

In-Person Field Trips to California Citrus State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Blended-Access Field Trips, California Citrus State Historic Park, History, K-2, People, Places, Plants

In-Person Field Trips to California Citrus State Park Explore - California Citrus State Historic Park! During this 2 hour multisensory tour, participants will learn how California's second gold rush (citrus) helped shape and develop California today, the... Read MoreRead more about In-Person Field Trips to California Citrus State Park

Explore Life in 1850s California at a Frontier Army Post

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Fort Tejon State Historic Park, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Explore Life in 1850s California at a Frontier Army Post This program at Fort Tejon State Historic Park provides a glimpse of life in frontier California in the 1850s through the lens of a remote mountain Army post. Various historical topics are presented including... Read MoreRead more about Explore Life in 1850s California at a Frontier Army Post

All About Acorns: A California Staple

3-5, 6-8, Arts and Culture, History, K-2, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, State Indian Museum State Historic Park

All About Acorns: A California Staple Explore a traditional food staple of California Native Peoples before European contact. We will examine the history of Indigenous peoples of California and their deep, enduring connection to the land. Learn how acorns, known... Read MoreRead more about All About Acorns: A California Staple

Experience the Art and Architecture of Hearst Castle

6-8, 9-12, Arts and Culture, Hearst Castle at Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Experience the Art and Architecture of Hearst Castle Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst acquired a vast art collection for his estate in San Simeon, Ca. Students will go on a journey exploring the art and architecture of Hearst Castle including Roman... Read MoreRead more about Experience the Art and Architecture of Hearst Castle

The Yurok People Are Still Here

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Animals, History, K-2, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs, Sue-Meg State Park

The Yurok People Are Still Here A virtual walk through Sue-meg Village with 3 stops: the Yurok Redwood Living House, Dress House, and The Sweat House. As we visit each stop, students can explore the different uses of each Redwood structure and learn about traditional... Read MoreRead more about The Yurok People Are Still Here

California Citrus: The Groves and Beyond

3-5, 6-8, Arts and Culture, California Citrus State Historic Park, History, People, Places, Plants, PORTS Programs

California Citrus: The Groves and Beyond During this 45 min virtual program, students will learn how California’s second gold rush (the citrus industry) helped shape and develop California today. They will also learn how various groups of people played a significant... Read MoreRead more about California Citrus: The Groves and Beyond

Immigration Stories told from Angel Island State Park

3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Angel Island State Park, Arts and Culture, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Immigration Stories told from Angel Island State Park Bring your group virtually to the historic immigration station at Angel Island State Park for a free guided experience. Learn about the under-told history of immigration on the west coast in the early 1900s. Most... Read MoreRead more about Immigration Stories told from Angel Island State Park

Flat Stanley Discovers Pioneer Living at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park

3-5, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs, William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park

Flat Stanley Discovers Pioneer Living at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park Travel back in time with Flat Stanley to experience life in 1850s pioneer California at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park. Students will learn how pioneers lived without three... Read MoreRead more about Flat Stanley Discovers Pioneer Living at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park

Your Life as a Columbia Gold Miner

3-5, Columbia State Historic Park, History, People, Places, PORTS Programs

Your Life as a Columbia Gold Miner Have your class step into the shoes of gold miners at Columbia State Historic Park during the California Gold Rush! Together, we will take on the role of gold miner characters and create journals reflecting on what life was like for... Read MoreRead more about Your Life as a Columbia Gold Miner