U.S. History: The American West

Discovery Trunk: Cowboys!
Objects, photographs, and activities related to ranching in the late 1800s to early 1900s
Trunk

All About Cowboys for Kids
AV 542
Part One of the series is an exciting mix of cowboy action, Western lore, and lively music.
Video, 45 Minutes

The Opening of the American West
AV 162, 163
Two parts: Explorers and Fur Traders; The Oregon Trail. Investigates the principal events involved in the settlement and Americanization of the area known collectively as “The West.” Chariot Productions, 1990.
Video, teacher’s guide.

Westward Expansion
AV 442
1842-1912; SIRS and National Archives
Cassette, teaching unit

O’ Pioneers
AV 429
The 1992 adaptation of Will Cather’s novel. Home recording.
Video, script, poster, teacher’s guide

Buffalo Bill: Showman of the West
AV 45 & 89
Chronicles the life of one of the west’s most exciting characters. A & E Biography, 1996
Video. 50 minutes.

Trails West Cookin’ with Sam Arnold
AV 28
Owner and proprietor of the Fort in Morrison. Food preparation includes jerky, buffalo tongue, minted trout, and more. Videocraft, 1989.
Video. 55 minutes.

Black Pioneers: True Faces of the West
AV 302
African American Pioneers who became explorers, guides, cowhands, teachers, and professionals as they moved into remote areas west of the Mississippi. University of Wyoming, 1997.
Video

Orphan Train
AV 289
Using poignant interviews and century-old letters, this film explores the successes and failures of this little known by highly influential resettlement movement. PBS, 1995.
Video. 60 minutes.

Life and Times of Buffalo Bill Cody
AV 448
Early footage, hear him talk, and see the amazing story of his life. Old Army Press.
Video. 20 minutes

Frontier House
AV 469
3 modern families experience life on the American frontier in the 1880s. PBS, 2002.
3 Videos. 120 minutes each.

Lewis and Clark
AV 489
Explorers of the New Frontier. A&E Biography, 1993.
Video. 60 minutes.

Best of the Real West: Sitting Bull and the Great Sioux Nation
AV 499
Original footage, authentic diaries, paintings, and expert commentaries. A&E, 1994.
Video. 50 minutes.

Best of the Real West: Wild Women
AV 500
C Original footage, authentic diaries, paintings, and expert commentaries. Calamity Jane, Belle Starr, and Annie Oakley. A&E, 1994
Video. 50 minutes.

Best of the Real West: Texas Rangers
AV 501
Original footage, authentic diaries, paintings, and expert commentaries. Man hunters of the old west. A&E, 1994
Video. 50 minutes.

Best of the Real West: The Battle of the Alamo
AV 502
Original footage, authentic diaries, paintings, and expert commentaries. A&E, 1994
Video. 50 minutes.

Mountain Men
AV 511
Head into the wilderness on the trail of some of the most celebrated fables and figures of Americana from Kit Carson to Jedediah Smith. A&E, 1995
Video. 100 minutes.

Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery
AV 467
The entire story of the Corps of Discovery. PBS, 2001.
DVD. 240 minutes.