Land of the Limberlost
The Limberlost swamp was the perfect laboratory for Gene Stratton-Porter to study nature. In a time when most women were homemakers, Gene created a lasting legacy of northern Indiana’s vanishing natural history through her published novels, nature studies and photographs.
Natural History
Art
Science
Reading & Writing
202 6th Street, Geneva, IN 46740, USA
Take a trip to see us
School Group Tours
K-Grade 12
Admission is FREE for pre-registered, accredited schools or homeschool groups of 10 or more K-12 students. Free admission includes teachers and bus drivers, plus one additional adult chaperone per every five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate of $7/person. Members of the Indiana Association of Homeschool Educators receive free daily admission with proof of membership.
Contact site for non-Indiana student rate.
Pre-registration required at least two weeks in advance.
The school group tour includes a guided tour of the Limberlost Cabin where your students will learn about the home and natural environment that inspired Gene Stratton-Porter to write her bestsellers. Discover Indiana’s original ecosystem and Gene’s role as a naturalist, and see how technology, culture and family life has evolved since the late 19th century.
Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: 4.1.9, 4.2.8, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 5.3.11, 6.1.19, 6.1.20, 6.3.13, 6.3.16, 6.5.5, 6.5.7, 6.5.9, 8.1.27, 8.1.28, 8.1.31, 8.3.9, 8.5.3, 8.5.6, SS 8.5.7, SS 8.5.8; Language Arts: 6.2.3, 8.3.7; Science: 4.1.7, 4.4.7, 4.6.4, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.1.6, 6.1.5, 6.3.16, 7.1.5, 7.1.6, 8.1.8; Art: 4.1.1, 4.3.2, 4.12.2, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.12.2, 6.1.1, 6.12.2, 6.13.1, 7.1.1, 7.12.2, 7.13.1, 8.1.1, 8.12.2, 8.13.1; US History: USH.9.1, USH.9.2; Language Arts: 9.3.12, 10.2.1, 10.3.12, 11.2.5, 12.2.5; Biology: B.1.39, B.1.41; Environmental Science: ENV.1.2, ENV.1.4, ENV.1.5, ENV.1.6, ENV.1.30; ART: H.1.1, H.1.2, H.12.2, H.13.1
LIMBERLOST WETLAND
PreK-Grade 12
Sept.-Oct. and April-May
Length: 30-60 minutes, depending on grade level
Fee: $2.50/student
Your students will discover the plants and animals that inspired Gene to become a leading naturalist of her time.
Indiana Academic Standards: Science: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, K.LS.3, 1.LS.3, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.1 , 4.LS.2, 5.LS.2, 6.LS.2, 6.LS.3, 6.LS.5, ES-2.1, ES-3.2,ES-3.8, ES-5.3, ES6.1; ENV.1.1.,ENV.1.2,ENV.2.1, ENV.2.3, ENV.5.1, ENV.5.2, ENV.5.5, ENV.6.3, ENV.6.4, ENV.8.2
Explore Programs
Whether it’s at the site, outreach or virtual, we offer hands-on, exploratory and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards.
AT SITE or OUTREACH
Length: 45-60 minutes
Max. number of students: 25
Cost: $2.50/student
Travel fees: 30-60 miles=$20; 60-90 miles=$40; 90+ miles=$60
VIRTUAL
Length: varies
Cost: varies
Call site for info.
LIMBER JIM WILDLIFE PROGRAM
PreK-Grade 6
At site, outreach
Students can learn about the wildlife that Limber Jim encountered while he was lost in the Limberlost Swamp during this hands-on, interactive program. Limber Jim brings along many items such as skulls and furs for the students to see, touch and inquire about.
Indiana Academic Standards: Science: K.LS.2, K.LS.3, 1.LS.3, 1.LS.4, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.2, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.1, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.1, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.3, 6.LS.5
BIRDS OF THE LIMBERLOST
PreK-Grade 12
At site, outreach
Discover the many types of birds that Gene Stratton-Porter, who was known as the “Bird Woman,” studied and photographed while exploring the Limberlost Swamp. Students will explore skulls and feathers during this interactive program.
Indiana Academic Standards: Science: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, K.LS.3, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.3, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.2, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.2, 6.LS.3, 6.LS.5, 8.LS.5, 8.LS. 7, 8.LS.8, 8.LS.9, B.5.4, ENV.5.1, ENV.5.2, IS.1.38, IS.3.4, IS.5.8
MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST
PreK-Grade 12
At site, outreach
Learn about the types of moths Gene featured in her book, “Moths of the Limberlost.” Then investigate moth-related items, such as cocoons and moth specimens.
Indiana Academic Standards: Science: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, K.LS.3, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.3, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.2, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.2, 5.LS.3, 6.LS.2, 6.LS.3, 6.LS.5, 8.LS.5, 8.LS. 7, 8.LS.8, 8.LS.9, B.5.4, ENV.5.1, ENV.5.2, IS.1.38, IS.3.4, IS.5.8
MYSTERY VEST WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Grades 1-5
At site, outreach
This interactive program allows randomly selected students to choose a pocket on the mystery vest worn by the facilitator. As different items are unveiled, the facilitator will engage students through stories about each wildlife-related item.
Indiana Academic Standards: Science: 1.LS.3, 1.LS.4, 2.LS.1, 2.LS.2, 2.LS.3, 3.LS.1, 4.LS.3, 5.LS.1, 5.LS.3
THE LIFE OF GENE STRATTON-PORTER
Grades 4-12
Virtual, at site, outreach
Explore the life and career of Indiana’s most widely read female author. Find out how Gene’s works were influenced by nature and how she brought the Limberlost Swamp and nature to readers around the world.
Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: 4.1.9, 4.2.8, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 5.3.11, 6.1.19, 6.1.20, 6.3.13, 6.3.16, 6.5.5, 6.5.7, 6.5.9, 8.1.27, 8.1.28, 8.1.31, 8.3.9, 8.5.3, 8.5.6, SS 8.5.7, SS 8.5.8; Language Arts: 6.2.3, 8.3.7; Science: 4.1.7, 4.4.7, 4.6.4, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.1.6, 6.1.5, 6.3.16, 7.1.5, 7.1.6, 8.1.8; Art: 4.1.1, 4.3.2, 4.12.2, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.12.2, 6.1.1, 6.12.2, 6.13.1, 7.1.1, 7.12.2, 7.13.1, 8.1.1, 8.12.2, 8.13.1; US History: USH.9.1, USH.9.2; Language Arts: 9.3.12, 10.2.1, 10.3.12, 11.2.5, 12.2.5; Biology: B.1.39, B.1.41; Environmental Science: ENV.1.2, ENV.1.4, ENV.1.5, ENV.1.6, ENV.1.30; ART: H.1.1, H.1.2, H.12.2, H.13.1
