Shelves and shelves of what looks like buried treasure are taking up space in a storage closet at the Washington District Library.

Those treasures are about to be unearthed as another school year begins for Washington students.

The Washington Historical Society, in conjunction with the library, started the “Time Travels in Trunks” program five years ago as an outreach effort for students in grades K-5.

The themed trunks are made up of items from the past and act as supplemental teaching tools for teachers about historical topics.

Mary Kerr is a former teacher in Washington and Peoria schools and a member of the historical society and library treasurer.

Kerr said the society was looking for a service project, and secured a grant for the trunks program with the state library board.

“We picked up the trunks at Hobby Lobby, raised money to buy and install the cabinets to hold the items, and soon we were off and running,” Kerr said.

Kerr said 10 volunteers help with the trunk presentations, and also help contribute the historical items.

“We serve about 2,500 students in Washington Township, but also get requests from home-schooled kids, senior groups and Scout troops,” Kerr added.

On the date and time reserved, the time traveler volunteer will bring the requested trunk to the classroom and give a 20-30 minute interactive presentation about the trunk’s contents.

The trunk remains in the classroom for one week, and the teachers and students can explore and handle the contents.

The trunk themes available through the program include: African-American, Civil War, Clothing,

Colonial Times, Household Items, Indian Heritage, Military History, Revolutionary Era, Toys, Washington History, Westward Expansion and World War II.

“Our most popular trunk is probably the Washington history because people want to know more about where they live,” Kerr said.

Some of the 10 artifacts in the Washington trunk include a Nazi banner from a POW camp, old school books and a letter from Abraham Lincoln to the city.

“For the nursing homes, they really love the household items because they remember using those old kitchen tools,” Kerr said.

Kerr added the society has already started developing new trunks, including a Lincoln-themed trunk. They also plan to relocate their workspace into the senior center at Five Points.

Kerr said the response to the traveling trunks program has been tremendous, leading to nicknames for the volunteers.

“When kids see us out and about, they say, ‘Hey, trunk ladies,’ and always want to know when we’re coming back to their classroom,” Kerr said with a laugh.

Eveline Durham, principal at Lincoln Grade School, said she sat in on a few of the trunk presentations at the school and witnessed the positive reactions.

“Many of the historical society members happen to be former teachers, so they really know how to tell a story and engage the kids,” Durham said.

Durham said teachers at Lincoln give the trunk travelers an open invitation because it is a great resource to have right in Washington.

“I think they are really trying to keep history alive,” Durham added.

To schedule a trunk travels visit, call 444-9885 or 444-9058, or visit www.washington-historical-society.org.