Ports, Trade and the Making of Oregon

Write a fictional story or stage a play that shows life as a river pilot before dams tamed the Columbia River.

Create a brochure that explains the history of a port near you. How did the development of the port affect agriculture and other businesses in the area and vice versa?

Explore museums and exhibits that portray local histories of ports and trade. Keep a list of "I didn't know that!" statements about what you learn from the displays and artifacts.

Develop a series of maps of the area defined as Oregon today, from the time prior to European settlement to the present. Include the locations of traditional Native American trading sites, old ports, new ports, shipping ports and airports, rivers, towns, and transportation routes.

Draw posters or develop models to show the operation of transports used in Oregon – sternwheelers, masted ships, tugboats, steamboats, and barges. Label the main equipment and demonstrate how it works.

Research the Army Corps of Engineers and its role in developing the infrastructure of Oregon.

Index
Map of teacher's on-line resource.

Port Activities and Management
Extensions to student activities on the methods and practices of fishing.