Our Products

Books available for General readers
Here are the "Yesterday and Today" series of books that follow the Lewis and Clark, Oregon, California, Mormon and Santa Fe trails. They will introduce you to the trails of the explorers and emigrants, review their chronological development, allow you to see and experience the trails in the explorers’ and emigrants' own words, see the wondrous sites they saw and recorded, and find out where you can learn more.
The books' format is the same: an introduction and commentary on an important aspect of the trail; its chronological development; an examination of maps and and information or guidebooks available to the emigrants at the time; a journey along the trail using old guidebooks, maps and up to three diaries; a review of three or more artists and then an extensive pictorial journey using the old sketches and/or photos and recent photos of the same sites today; a site map; and finally, a list of museums along the way with suggested readings for further study.
.....
....

THE OREGON TRAIL,     
Yesterday and Today
By William E. Hill

Compare the myths and the realities of the trail.
  Follow three diarists along the trail in Wyoming after crossing the North Platte and then along the Sweetwater River. Read how Independence Day was celebrated by one wagon company.  Fremont's maps are shown.


THE SANTA FE TRAIL,
Yesterday and Today

By William E. Hill

The Santa Fe Trail was developed for commerce, and this distinguished it from the other trails that were primarily developed for emigration.  Follow three travelers in Kansas as they meet the Arkansas River, follow it, and then come to where the trail split. Brown's 1825 survey and maps are shown.


THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL   
Yesterday and Today
By William E. Hill

Thousands of gold seekers went to California by ship and wagon. The sea voyage is compared to the overland journey. Three diarists take you from the Humboldt River, across the deserts, and then up the mountains. One diarist describes the site of the Donner disaster. The T.H. Jefferson maps are shown.  


THE MORMON TRAIL, 
Yesterday and Today
By William E. Hill

 The nature of the Mormon migration is compared with that of other emigrants who went west.  Follow three diarists as they travel along the Platte and North Platte rivers in Nebraska.  A variety of old maps are shown including the first hand-drawn map of Hastings' route into the Great Salt Lake Valley from Fort Bridger.
                                        


THE LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL, 
Yesterday and Today
By William E. Hill

 Compare the nature of the Lewis and Clark Trail with the other great western trails. Meet the members of the Corps of Discovery. Follow Lewis and Clark’s journey as
described in their official publication as they travel up the Missouri from the Kansas City area north into South Dakota. Examine the maps available to Lewis and Clark prior to their journey. Relive the journey as they traveled to the Pacific!
                                        


Activity books available for middle school & high school aged children and their teachers

These books describe the trails using a variety of exercises and types of materials. Topics include: historical development, modes of travel, motivations, problems and hazards, forts, famous people, routes, landmarks, guides and guidebooks, daily experiences and diaries.  Activities include: map work, charts & graphs, reading comprehension, word searches, classification, puzzles and special "brainbusters" for further research. The activities use both primary and secondary sources, including document based exercises.

Reading, Writing and Riding
Along the Oregon-California Trails

.....,
Finding  the Right Place
The Story of the Mormon Trail

 

Following Lewis and Clark's Track
The Story of The Corps of Discovery


Activity books available for early elementary school aged children and their teachers

Make history exciting and fun for younger children with these books! Children will just love doing the various activities while they learn about the trails. The activities include: coloring, dot-to-dots, maps, puzzles, word search, classification, mazes, singing, cooking, special art projects and more! Topics include: history, significant people, sites and animals found along the trail, music & food, the route, hazards, what to bring and life on the trail. Teachers will also find these useful.

Heading West 
Oregon & California Trails
Heading Southwest,
Along the Santa Fe Trail

This is the Place,
The Story of the Mormon Trail
.....

West With Lewis and Clark,
The Story of the Corps of Discovery


Puzzle- Westward Bound

Looking for a fun gift, a family activity, something for the kids to do on a rainy day or in the car while traveling? Here it is!!!!

A 100 piece two-sided jigsaw puzzle.
It fits assembled into its own box.

Perfect for young and old, individuals or the whole family!


Pewter Pins & Key Chain
 

Seaman the Newfoundland, dog of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Wear him proudly.
Add him to your pin collection.

Let him be the guard and keeper of your keys!

Comes with a story of his adventures.


Plush Animal - Seaman

Seaman the Newfoundland, dog of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

A HillHouse Hug Me Toy - 14".

Perfect for children and dog lovers of all ages!

Comes with information about Seaman's experiences.

Take Seaman along with you or your family!


Plush Animal - Seaman, Jr. - Bean Hug Me

Seaman, Jr., the Newfoundland dog of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

A smaller version of the Seaman Hug Me Toy – 6”

Will stand on your dashboard or fit in your pocket.

Comes with information about Seaman’s adventures.

Ready to go when you are.


Plush Animal - Prairie Dog

Petit Chien – the Prairie Dog

A HillHouse Hug Me toy – 6 1/2”

Once found all over the Great Plains

Comes with information about him.


Clip on Plush - Grizzly Bear

Grippy, the Grizzly Bear

Small clip-on Hug Me – 5”

Comes with information about the discovery of the Grizzly Bear.

He’ll grab hold and never let go.