Independent Learning Challenge Week 4

Hi everyone,

You might remember that I decided on the following;

I will spend 4 hours each week for the next 7 weeks in pursuit of discovering more on Passion Based Learning.

• I would like to have a Sailing 101 Lesson
• I would like to experience life inside of a Muslim Mosque
• Learn how to build a rock retaining wall (landscape)
• Study 1-2 separate stories that are in the bible
• Visit 2 museum’s any that are in my location
• Spend 4 hours learning about horse racing
• Leave 2 weeks open to learn about a new discovery I have made while on this journey.

These are not in order and I would like to also leave room for adjustments due to weather or health.

This week I was able to visit 3 Nebraska museums and 1 historical marker along the Lincoln Highway (aka; Hwy 30) through Dawson County Nebraska.  I hope you enjoy the recap of my Independent Learning Project for this week.

1^st Stop

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The Dawson County Historical Society  https://dchsmuseum.com/

This museum located in Lexington, Ne. near the city swimming pool and several schools.

The museum was featuring an exhibit on Public Power Districts’ history in the USA.  Of course, Dawson Public Power District located south of Lexington was highlighted.  The museum staff did an excellent job giving the public a full overview of hydroelectricity then and now.

In addition to that exhibit a celebration in honor of the 150^th anniversary of Nebraska’s statehood.

2^nd Stop

Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles, Lexington, Nebraska http://heartlandmuseum.com/index.php

This museum is filled with armored utility vehicles, heavy tanks, armored personnel carriers, helicopters, airplanes, guns, missals other heavy armored transport vehicles.

This museum was much different than I anticipated.  It of course is filled with history but not the history of battles or wars that I envisioned.

3^rd Stop

The Pony Express Station, Gothenburg Nebraska http://www.ponyexpressstation.org/ This I very small wooden shack that is filled the history and short life of the Pony Express.

According to  nps.gov

More than 1,800 miles in 10 days! From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California the Pony Express could deliver a letter faster than ever before.

In operation for only 18 months between April 1860 and October 1861, the Pony Express nevertheless has become synonymous with the Old West. In the era before electronic communication, the Pony Express was the thread that tied East to West.

As a result of the 1849 Gold Rush, the 1847 Mormon exodus to Utah and the thousands who moved west on the Oregon Trail starting in the 1840s, the need for a fast mail service beyond the Rocky Mountains became obvious. This need was partially filled by outfits such as the Butterfield Overland Mail Service starting in 1857 and private carriers in following years.

4^th Stop

Sweedish Cross Cemetery http://heartlandmuseum.com/index.php

This Historical Marker is located north of Gothenburg, Ne alongside a dirt road.  It is a small well maintained commemoration of the tragedy that struck the Berg family in 1885.  The family was immigrants from Sweden who established themselves in the community of Gothenburg, NE.  According to Emma Peterson, “ As each child died their grandfather, Benjamin Palm, designed a unique cross for each child to mark their grave. He was Gothenburg’s first blacksmith. It is said that he ordered special steel from Sweden to make these unique crosses. The designs included fancy stars, hearts, and crosses. Each marker includes the child’s name, and date of birth and death.”

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I found something to admire in each place I visited, I learned something at each place and I would definitely take my future students on a field trip to each place.  So far this experience has been my favorite.