Traveling History Library: Bringing the Past to Life on the Road

As we crisscross the country, we’ve made it our mission to keep American history alive for our kids—not just through the sites we visit but through stories and figures that inspire questions, spark curiosity, and connect them to the past. To do this, we’ve packed a mini library of around 40 history books featuring biographies, graphic novels, pictures books and historical fiction from legends like Abigail Adams, Clara Barton, Frederick Douglass, Benjamin Franklin, the Wright Brothers, and, of course, a host of presidents.

We’ve organized our stash with a multi-tier system. There’s a box of books we won’t break open for another month, giving the kids new material to dive into once the road starts to feel routine. In the meantime, we have a dedicated bag of books in rotation, and each child carries a “current read” in their backpack. This setup means they’re constantly learning new details about each historical site, preparing them to ask those pressing questions to the Rangers and guides when we arrive.  We also have Kindles for the oldest three to push content of specific poems (e.g., Paul Revere’s Ride) at the right time.

By connecting these stories to real places and people, each stop becomes more than just a field trip—it’s a chance for the kids to see history as a living, breathing thing, waiting to be explored. And, with every new book and historic site, they’re creating their own journey through America’s past.