The Summer Teaching History Through the Arts Teacher Institute was offered from July 10 – 14, 2008 at Pricketts Fort. Fifteen teachers learned about the lessons that are available for their students, were introduced to the history and background material, and tried their hand at various historic processes including traditional music and dance, storytelling, weaving, spinning, dyeing, basketry, blacksmithing, tinsmithing, scrimshaw, American Indian culture and more. Here are some of their comments about the institute:

• "Excellent experience! Everything was very well organized."

• "Very interesting workshop - excellent,"

• "Everything was done wonderfully! We were treated professionally and respectfully. Thank you!!!"

• "All artisans did a great job! Because of your knowledge and enthusiasm, time flew. I want to learn everything because of your instruction. Pricketts Fort is a treasure! Keep promoting."

• "Being immersed in the historic culture made it easy to become involved with the units."

• "Very well rounded five days to give intro to way of life. Extremely interesting and great at jumpstarting interest level."

2007-2008 Pilot Schools
Fourteen  pilot schools from across West Virginia were selected to test the workshops in the classroom and at the Fort throughout the school year. Here are some of their comments:

• “Students received good insight of the time period, tools and processes.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
• “The instructor did an excellent job with the students. They came back to school counting in Indian language….They really had fun.”
   
• “I saw the kids working with tools that many of them probably have never worked with, and they were so proud of themselves and what they had made!...The students learned a lot, even if it was just that they could make something that they didn’t know they could. Thank you so much.”
   
• “My students did learn the basics of playing the lap dulcimer. Sue did an excellent job explaining the history of the instrument and explaining how to play the instrument. My students didn’t want the lesson to end! …I would like to say again, that I really enjoyed the class and I feel I have been a better teacher this year because I’ve had all of the extra info...to help enrich my lessons.”
   
• “The stories were great! …The dances were the students’ favorite part. The full participation and amount of action was very appropriate. Aaron was an excellent presenter. He was very appropriate with this age student. He was flexible and allowed me to add a ‘Native Feast’ to the presentation. He shared information that really made the entire experience relevant.”