Cracking the History Code: Salish Stories

A part of the Cracking the History Code series, Salish Stories focuses on the Coast Salish communities of the Puget Sound.

Students discover the culture, history, language, and lifeways of Puget Sound’s first peoples listening to stories, looking at historic photos, and handling artifacts crafted by local artists. Visit includes additional self-guided gallery time.

Every educator is encouraged to consider the needs of their students when considering our Cracking the History Code: Salish Stories field trip. The following details can be helpful in deciding if this is the right field trip for your students:

• Grade Level: Grades 3-5
• Price: $200 per group of 14-30 students
• Duration: 1 hour per group
• Available:
  • 2025–26 School Year: September 22, 2025 – December 19, 2025 / January 20, 2026 – June 17, 2026; Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4:30 pm
  • 2026–27 School Year: September 21, 2026 – December 18, 2026 / January 19, 2027 – June 18, 2027; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10 am – 2 pm
• Accommodations: 30 students max per program, up to 3 programs (90 students) per day; one chaperone for every six students required, up to one chaperone for every two students are included in the field trip fee (additional chaperones must pay regular admission rates).

The total length of a field trip depends on how many classes are visiting. Field trips that include a guided program last a minimum of two hours and 15 minutes. Here are estimates for common field trip time blocks:

Please verify the arrival and departure time will work for your school and transportation providers before booking your field trip.

• One or two class guided program – 2 hours and 15 minutes
• One class or two class guided program with onsite lunch – 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Three class guided program – 3 hours and 15 minutes
  • All three class guided programs are scheduled to have lunch onsite

We are unable to shorten guided programs. If you require a shorter visit, we suggest:

• Scheduling a self-guided field trip
• Bringing fewer classes
• Spreading your classes out over a second field trip day

MOHAI lunch space – MOHAI does not have an indoor lunch facility. Groups eating lunch at the museum should plan to eat in the surrounding Lake Union Park, which does not have covered seating. In the case of severe inclement weather, museum staff will do their best to accommodate an indoor lunch space, though cannot guarantee a space for your group.

Use these lessons and activities to introduce students to content that will be discussed during their field trip to MOHAI.