Sutter’s Fort Re-Imagined

Our fourth graders spent the day on the annual Sutter’s Fort field trip. While they learned weaving, baking, candle making, and many other tasks of the time, no period costumes were required and the tone of this authentic Gold Rush experience has also changed substantially. 

Reflecting Country Day’s own efforts at inclusion, Sutter’s Fort has attempted to accurately reflect the historical impact and significance of events that occurred there for Native Americans. They strive to answer the questions “Why preserve this place?” and “What can it teach us?” in order for the Park to remain relevant.

Our marvelous Fourth Grade teachers, Pam Livesey and Amanda Ashdown, share some insight on the revised program…

What's the biggest change from past studies of Sutter's Fort and the Gold Rush?

The fort now talks about the role of Native American people and the land that was changed forever due to the westward movement. Today our focus isn't just on preparing to attend the fort for 24 hours, but we are able to dive even deeper by reading more books and having even more in-depth discussions in class about cause and effect, human survival, and the good and bad of the westward movement, as well as talk about people from around the world coming to California for better lives like Asia, Australia, India, etc.

Why is a more historically accurate experience important to the history curriculum?

We have never wavered from teaching age-appropriate, true history in 4th grade. Being able to learn true history means hearing from as many voices as we can. Each year, with more voices speaking out, and more literature being written, we strive to keep our curriculum accurate by adding and removing things if we can't answer the question of "why are we teaching this?"  

What do you notice has the greatest impact on your students during this study?

These movements made California the most diverse place in the world. Ideas, population, culture, food, and humanity worked together as a free state and became the philosophy for quality of life. We want our kids to know that it wasn't easy for a lot of people and to understand what and who was here before us. We want them to be proud to live in California, be grateful, and continue to make positive changes, all while knowing the true history of this amazing state.