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On Wednesday I took my class to the Wells Fargo Museum in downtown Los Angeles. Getting there was a bit of an adventure. We took the Gold Line, then the Red Line (subway), and climbed the stairs beside the old Angel's Flight. We didn't lose anyone despite my fear of having the train pull out of the station, looking out the window and seeing some of my students still on the platform!
The museum itself is quite small. I was concerned that there might not be enough to hold my students' interest. But the exhibits were well planned and the docents were excellent. All in all I think they got much more from the experience than they have at some of the larger museums we have visited in the past.
The presentations were well focused with lots of chances for the students to ask questions and share what they knew about the subject: the California Gold Rush. The highlight was the simulated ride on a stagecoach. I wish I'd taken my video camera! I highly recommend this trip for classes studying California history and the gold rush era.
I started thinking about some of the other smaller museums I've visited or taken students to. The Aquarium of the Pacific and the Norton Simon Museum come to mind. You are have a chance to enjoy them rather than wandering through endless exhibits until your mind is overloaded and your feet have turned to lead.
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