Texas Maritime Museum Field Trip            09/13/2009 11:30 PM

This past week we went on a field trip with one of the homeschool groups that I'm a member of. We had a great time and the children really enjoyed their visit to the Texas Maritime Museum. Even more, we were so glad that the whole family could enjoy this field trip because not only was it an Educational Field Trip but it was also family time. That was a big plus for us. In addition, another bonus was that we were able to tie in the information that was presented about 'archeology' with the kids history lessons this past week.

The kids started 'The Story of the World' this past week and one of the very first things discussed in the book was Archeology. Lo and behold, part of the tour was a video that showed the actual archology dig of the La Belle exploration dig in Matagorda Bay as well as items that were found such as a sailor's skull. Besides the fact that my children were able to answer a couple of the questions that the tour guide asked, they were able to make the connections of what archeology was, what archeologists do, and what they study. I was able to sit with my children and say 'Remember we read and narrated from our history book about Archeology....remember what it was....do you remember the video on the tour that showed the dig....that's what archeologists do....etc., etc. etc. It was great! I have to admit that the lesson just happened to coincide with our trip, but I'm so glad it did, because it helped make sense for the kids.

Here is what I can share with you about the Texas Maritime Museum:

The Texas Maritime Museum, located close to Corpus Christi in nearby Rockport, is a good place to get a glimpse of what life was like for explorers in 1684.

The museum is an account of Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle's failed French expedition to the New World. The highlight of the Museum is the 1:12 scale model of 'La Belle'. It is a wooden replica of the ship and is displayed on the main floor of the Museum. Also of note is an instrument known as the ‘nocturnal' that was used in the 16th century to tell time by using the stars positions at night for navigation.

The museum provides just a glimpse of La Salle's journey to the New World and serves as a description of what life was like for the sailors on this expedition. Among the highlights in the Museum are artifacts which were discovered in the shipwreck of the 'La Belle' that was found in 1995 off the coast of Matagorda Bay in only 12 feet of water. The artifacts paint a picture of the many things travelers would have used during that time such as clothing, weapons, game pieces, maps, tools, and food. Of interesting note is a video showing the archeologists dig and preservation of a sailor's skull as well as a representation of a map showing how the Texas coast was depicted in the 16th century.

All these things reflect the story of America, the lives along the Texas shores, and part of Texas History. The museum has other permanent as well as temporary exhibits that also contribute to the story of the shores of Texas which include everything from history, technology, petroleum, fishing, settlement to exploration.

The Texas Maritime Museum is the 'Official Maritime Museum of Texas' and is the first of the La Salle Odyssey coalition to open its doors. There are eight institutions that are scattered across six counties that tell of this story and thus the Texas Maritime Museum is only one piece of the puzzle. To get a bigger picture of the depth and value of this expedition, one would have to visit the other institutions dedicated to this story. You can find out more about them by visiting the Texas Maritime Museum's exhibit page on their website.

Educators and homeschool groups looking to supplement elementary and middle school Texas History, can contact the museum to find out about their education programs including guided tours, treasure chests, youth camps, and more. Please contact them at (361)729-1271 or visit their website at www.texasmaritimemuseum.org for more information.