The Donner Party
Have you ever taken a shortcut? Shortcuts are meant to save either time, or distance traveled. Unfortunately in the case of the Donner Party, taking a shortcut, or cut-off route, meant they were trapped in the Sierras and were forced to overwinter with limited supplies in the area now known as Donner Lake.
The Donners, along with the Reeds and dozens of other migrating families, began their journey in Independence, Missouri, in May 1846 intending to travel the Overland Trail to California. By mid-July, a group of families decided to leave the Oregon Trail and take the Hastings Cutoff, which would take them across the Great Salt Lake Desert, and rejoin the California Trail near Nevada. Unfortunately, the cut-off not only added 130 miles to their journey but the trail was not easy to navigate. After several delays, they reached eastern Nevada at the end of October 1846, one month behind schedule. To make matters worse, their arrival coincided with a snowstorm, which made the already difficult trek impassable, as the snow was higher than their wagons' axles and the road was no longer visible.
The families were now snowbound, with dwindling supplies, and no way out. The Donner Party spent one of the worst winters in California history in the Sierra. They found an existing cabin and the Breen family moved into it. Louis Keseberg built a lean-to against the cabin for his family. The Murphys, Eddys, Fosters, and Pikes build a cabin against a large boulder about 200 yards from the other cabin. The Graves and the Reeds shared a cabin a short distance away. About six miles east, the Donner families, Mrs. Wolfinger, their teamsters, and others, made shelters using canvas, hides, and brush.
After finding out about the stranded families from William Eddy, who along with others, had left the sierra in order to get help for his family and friends, Captain Sutter was instrumental in sending rescue parties and supplies, and the eventual rescue of the surviving members of the doomed party.
Patty Reed's Doll:
Patty Reed was 8 years old when her family joined the wagon train. They packed their wagon with supplies, household items and family heirlooms. As their trip progressed, the need to lighten the load caused the abandonment of items along the road - many families intended to return and retrieve the items after reaching their destination. At the Great Salt Lake Desert, the Reeds made the decision to leave their belongings at the side of the trail - every item not deemed essential had to be left behind, including the children's toys. Patty Reed hid her tiny doll inside her dress and kept her hidden for the duration of the journey. Dolly is made out of wood, with a painted face, and a cloth gown. The doll was donated to Sutter's Fort on the 100-year anniversary of the Donner Party tragedy - You can see her on display at Sutter's Fort!
Your box includes materials for you to make a handkerchief doll. See below for a slideshow with directions on how to assemble your handkerchief doll. Make sure to pause the slideshow as needed.
The Donners, along with the Reeds and dozens of other migrating families, began their journey in Independence, Missouri, in May 1846 intending to travel the Overland Trail to California. By mid-July, a group of families decided to leave the Oregon Trail and take the Hastings Cutoff, which would take them across the Great Salt Lake Desert, and rejoin the California Trail near Nevada. Unfortunately, the cut-off not only added 130 miles to their journey but the trail was not easy to navigate. After several delays, they reached eastern Nevada at the end of October 1846, one month behind schedule. To make matters worse, their arrival coincided with a snowstorm, which made the already difficult trek impassable, as the snow was higher than their wagons' axles and the road was no longer visible.
The families were now snowbound, with dwindling supplies, and no way out. The Donner Party spent one of the worst winters in California history in the Sierra. They found an existing cabin and the Breen family moved into it. Louis Keseberg built a lean-to against the cabin for his family. The Murphys, Eddys, Fosters, and Pikes build a cabin against a large boulder about 200 yards from the other cabin. The Graves and the Reeds shared a cabin a short distance away. About six miles east, the Donner families, Mrs. Wolfinger, their teamsters, and others, made shelters using canvas, hides, and brush.
After finding out about the stranded families from William Eddy, who along with others, had left the sierra in order to get help for his family and friends, Captain Sutter was instrumental in sending rescue parties and supplies, and the eventual rescue of the surviving members of the doomed party.
Patty Reed's Doll:
Patty Reed was 8 years old when her family joined the wagon train. They packed their wagon with supplies, household items and family heirlooms. As their trip progressed, the need to lighten the load caused the abandonment of items along the road - many families intended to return and retrieve the items after reaching their destination. At the Great Salt Lake Desert, the Reeds made the decision to leave their belongings at the side of the trail - every item not deemed essential had to be left behind, including the children's toys. Patty Reed hid her tiny doll inside her dress and kept her hidden for the duration of the journey. Dolly is made out of wood, with a painted face, and a cloth gown. The doll was donated to Sutter's Fort on the 100-year anniversary of the Donner Party tragedy - You can see her on display at Sutter's Fort!
Your box includes materials for you to make a handkerchief doll. See below for a slideshow with directions on how to assemble your handkerchief doll. Make sure to pause the slideshow as needed.