Ohlone Tule House

Replica Ohlone tule house made by Girl Scouts in Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont, California.

materials

Sticks, Long

Tules, Dried

Twine

Willow Bark

methods

Tules drying in preparation in a purpose-built structure. Dried tules are bundled together on the top shelf.

Dogbane or stinging nettle twine is useful for lashing the tules to the frame. A lesson plan for creating the cordage can be found at the following link.

Diorama exhibiting tule homes in use.

Resources

This was taught to me by Dino Labiste, a Naturalist with the East Bay Regional Parks District in a class entitled, "Ohlone Tools and Games for Your Classroom." While it appears this class is no longer being taught, a resource page can be found on the East Bay Regional Parks website.

Lesson plan adapted by Heather Taylor, teachoutside@gmail.com. You are welcome to share all materials with credit to her.