Animal Trap (Stationary) (Book Two, Card 31) The “Beaver Era” began around 1550 and lasted for roughly 300 years. At the time, the beaver population was robust and ubiquitous across practically all of New York State. Furs were highly valued for their warmth, texture, and durability, and many were exchanged, sold, or utilized in the …

Animal Trap (Portable) (Book Two, Card 30) Traditional trapping methods employed by Native Americans included basic snares, pit traps, and deadfalls. European settlers took metal trapping devices with them and founded the North American fur trade with Europe in the early 16th century. The fur trade was the primary form of commerce for settlers, and …

Weather Vane (Book Two, Card 29) Weathervanes can be extremely simple or intricate works of art. A weathervane is commonly used as an exterior decoration, but it also has a practical purpose: it tells you which way the wind is blowing. A cup with a lid, some thin card stock, two plastic straws, and a …