There is no rental fee to use the trunk. Tennessee teachers can receive the trunk free of charge but must pay to ship the trunk back to the museum. Out-of-state teachers must pay shipping charges in both directions.

Teachers who live near Nashville may also return the trunk directly to the Tennessee State Museum. They can be dropped off at the museum's dock on the west side of the museum, on Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Please let us know prior to dropping off the trunk so we can make sure that we receive it.

Follow the links above to view the trunk description, curriculum standards, and lesson plans. Each trunk may be reserved for a three-week period, which includes transit to and from your school. Your trunk will be shipped out to your school on the first Monday of your three-week reservation period, or in the event of a late return before you, it will be shipped on the next possible day. 

After deciding on your trunk, click here to access the trunk reservation form. Fill out the form and submit it electronically. Trunk reservations require a minimum of 15 students.

Teachers may also call the Public Programs Department if there are any questions. Call (615) 770-5868 or call toll-free 1-800-407-4324 and ask for Public Programs.

You will receive a confirmation by e-mail or mail. Your trunk is not reserved until you receive a confirmation.

Don't lose anything! Teachers are responsible for returning all the items in the trunk. Some of the items are expensive and take time to replace. When a teacher receives a trunk, they will also receive an inventory list. Please be sure to check that everything on this list is in the trunk, and to let the museum know if there are any missing items. Then, before returning the trunk, make sure that all inventoried items are in the trunk. If a trunk comes back to the museum without items, the teacher who reserved the trunk is responsible for replacing the items. Normal wear and tear is expected and the teacher will not have to replace any worn items.

Don't return it late - Returning the trunk in a timely manner is also important. Due to popularity, some trunks are completely booked. If a teacher returns a trunk late, then the next scheduled teacher will receive the trunk late. Please be considerate of your fellow teachers and return the trunks on time!

Multiple teacher use - If there are multiple teachers at one school who want to use a trunk, we often can extend the reservation past its normal three-week period. Please indicate this on the reservation form under your requested dates. Also, list all the teachers’ names who will be using the trunk, as well as the total number of students using the trunk materials. Any extensions will depend on trunk availability. Important note: If multiple teachers are using the trunks, the teacher whose name is on the reservation form is still responsible for getting all the materials back. You might want to make sure that each teacher is passing on the trunk with all materials intact.

Homeschools - Homeschools and homeschool groups may also request trunks but may be restricted to using the trunks during December, early January, and during the summer months. Other times may be approved based on trunk availability. Homeschool groups will also have to meet the same minimum of 15 students as private and public school groups.