As America approaches its 250th birthday, the Morton Museum of Collierville History is inviting families to step back in time and discover what daily life was really like for early settlers. During Summer Family Drop-In Day: Survive Early Collierville, children and their families can immerse themselves in local history through interactive activities inspired by life on the Tennessee frontier.
This free event transforms history into a hands-on adventure. Participants will receive game character profiles complete with strengths and weaknesses, then navigate a series of challenges inspired by the realities of early American life.
“We wanted to create something people could experience rather than simply hear about in a talk,” says museum director Neecole Gregory. “People don’t want to be talked at. They want to do something, engage with it, and make their own connections.”
Inspired in part by the classic Oregon Trail video game, the program allows children to imagine themselves as pioneers, apprentices, medical workers, and other frontier-era figures. Along the way, they’ll visit themed stations, gather supplies, learn about historic occupations, and discover how settlers relied on herbal remedies and ingenuity to navigate everyday challenges.
“We’re presenting history through narrative and story,” says visitor engagement and education coordinator Weslea Turner. “When children can imagine themselves in another person’s shoes, they develop an emotional connection to the past, and that’s where the learning really happens.”
The event is part of the museum’s ongoing Summer Family Drop-In Days series, which emphasizes flexible, self-guided experiences. Families can arrive anytime during the two-hour window, participate at their own pace, and leave whenever they’re ready — a format Gregory says has proven especially welcoming for parents and children of all ages.
Beyond the games and costumes, organizers hope participants gain a deeper appreciation for Collierville’s rich history and the role local stories play in shaping community identity.
“Learn about local history and see if you could survive early America,” Gregory says. “Step into someone else’s shoes and experience a different time in history.”
Summer Family Drop-In Day: Survive Early Collierville takes place Tuesday, June 23rd, at the Morton Museum of Collierville History. Admission is free and no registration is required.
SURVIVE EARLY COLLIERVILLE, MORTON MUSEUM OF COLLIERVILLE HISTORY, 196 N. MAIN STREET, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
