On August 2nd, the park hosted a day-long teacher’s workshop entitled “The Civil War in Southwest Missouri: Cause, Consequence, and Cost.” Twenty-five teachers learned about the Civil War from eight different presenters.
The teachers represented private and public schools, urban and rural, large and small. Presenters at the workshop spent considerable time on slavery as the cause of the war, social consequences, and guerilla activity in the region, and brought in regional parks pertaining to the theme.
Through participation in this workshop teachers were able to gain a broader understanding of the regional impact of the Civil War, learn about primary sources available to enhance lesson plans and classroom activities, and regional field trip options to extend lesson content.