History Detective Camp
The Robbery of the Savings Bank of Walpole

Session I: July 7-11

Session II: August 4-8

Both sessions run the same program, children should only sign up for one session.

(sample of the schedule)

Seeking junior history detectives who love a good mystery! Detectives will be trained in the techniques used by professionals to solve mysteries at museums. They will then use their skills to assist chief detectives with their investigation into a mysterious case from 1864 when the infamous gentleman thief, Max Shinburn, robbed the Savings Bank of Walpole.  Adding to the fun will be plenty of walking field trips to explore the Wyman Tavern, the Historical Society of Cheshire County, and Savings Bank of Walpole.

Camp Purpose and Objectives

Explored in this course are concepts for linking museums and primary source analysis to student learning about the past.  Participants will gain access to tools and techniques used by museums to discover more about local history.  Each day, students will learn strategies for discovering clues from the past by: analyzing historic artifacts, documents, artwork, and photographs; creating and following maps; interviewing ‘witnesses’ of history; researching answers to questions; and thinking critically about the history of one’s community.

At the center of this course will be a real bank robbery: The Robbery of the Savings Bank of Walpole is based on the real bank robbery that occurred in 1864, an event that bankrupted the bank for many years.  Junior detectives will be asked to follow Max Shinburn’s case to locate his missing safe cracking tools.  Throughout the week, students will use their new-found skills to follow leads and solve the case.  They will build their own ‘case files’ of information to take home at the end of the week.

Camp Format

Morning sessions will act as detective-in-training workshops. These will consist of reading, conducting experiments, making observations, building, and working on group projects.  Afternoon detective work will have campers solve the Robbery of Savings Bank of Walpole.  Sessions involve analysis of historical resources, group work, visits to the Historical Society and Saving Bank of Walpole, as well as walking tours around KSC campus and downtown.

What to Bring

Campers are asked to bring comfortable shoes, a water bottle, lunch and snack.

Who can attend: grades 3-5

Questions? Please contact: lifelonglearning@keene.edu