4th Grade Travels Back in Time to 1840s Monterey!

Oakwood School’s 4th grade students recently stepped into the past with an unforgettable visit to Monterey State Historic Park, experiencing life as it was in 1840s Monterey—when California was still a territory of Mexico and Monterey served as the capital city of Alta California.

This hands-on history field trip allowed students to immerse themselves in six engaging activities that reflected daily life during the Mexican California era. They tried their hand at rope making, leather working, and tortilla cooking, each offering a taste of the skills and trades practiced by early Californians. Students also explored map (diseño) making, nature journaling, and learned historic games once played by children their age nearly two centuries ago.

Behind one of the beautifully restored adobe buildings, students gathered in the historic plaza, where they learned about some of the more colorful traditions of the time—including how the plaza once hosted bull and bear fights, a dramatic (and dangerous) form of entertainment in early Mexican California.

The adventure continued with a visit to the Monterey Custom House, recognized as California’s oldest government building. Inside, students participated in a lively skit that brought the era’s events to life and took part in a fun scavenger hunt through the historic site. The Custom House visit also connected directly to their classroom studies about the hide-and-tallow trade—a major industry of the time. Students saw real-life examples of items that would have been traded, from cattle hides and candles to goods arriving by ship.

It was a memorable day of learning, exploration, and hands-on fun—helping these young historians better understand the rich history of early California and the people who helped shape it.

4th Grade Monterey State Historic Park Field Trip photo album