Classroom lessons on the Civil War came to vivid life for students from two of Suffolk’s public elementary schools on Friday.

Fourth-graders from Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School and fifth-graders from Elephant’s Fork visited the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile, a traveling project of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission.

“The kids are able to actually go into the mobile and experience interactive activities to reinforce what they’re learning in their Civil War SOL (Standards of Learning) lessons,” said Katrina Cary, the school district supervisor of history and social sciences.

The 53-foot, expandable tractor-trailer, which will remain outside the Visitor Center until 5 p.m. Saturday, is divided into several distinct sections.

The Battlefront section covers the key battles in Virginia, with soldiers’ letters giving visitors a front-row seat. Homefront involves the letters of Sophia Downman, an 8-year-old who wrote from her family’s residence outside of Fredericksburg on the hardships of life amid war.

Slavery and Freedom looks at how the Union army’s existence in Virginia brought the opportunity of freedom for many slaves.

Other sections dwell on the war’s legacy, including families left without breadwinners, the opportunities afforded newly freed black Virginians and how America was able to prosper after the war.

“It was important, because it saved our country,” Jaquintae Winnigan, an Elephant’s Fork fifth-grader, said of the Civil War after looking through the displays.

During two scavenger hunts — one inside the trailer and one outside — students moved from clue to clue by answering questions correctly.

They also got to tour Riddick’s Folly, which played a central role in the civil war in Suffolk as the headquarters of Maj. Gen. John J. Peck, commander of the Union forces that occupied the city.

“The kids so far have really enjoyed it,” Cary said.

Cary said fourth-graders learn about Virginia’s role in the Civil War, while in fifth grade, the focus widens to a perspective that’s more overarching.

She said the traveling museum “reinforces the people, locations and events they are learning about.”

Cary cited the letters, from the battlefield and the home front, as an important learning resource. “It’s not just the stuff they read about in the books,” she said.

Noelle Baker, the senior tour manager, said the kids seemed willing to learn, “so that’s good.”

The historical fun continues on Saturday, with plenty of ancillary activities to do once the HistoryMobile has been viewed.

In honor of the visiting HistoryMobile exhibit, a variety of other tours, exhibits and re-enactments have been arranged for the public. Make reservations for tours by calling 514-4130 or emailing visitsuffolk@suffolkva.us. Among the events planned are the following:

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — HistoryMobile open to the public
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Riddick’s Folly House Museum open for hourly tours ($5 per person)
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Period re-enactments on the grounds of Riddick’s Folly
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Genealogy workshop with the Daughters of the American Revolution at Morgan Memorial Library
• 10 a.m. — Washington Ditch Boardwalk Guided Walk ($5 per person, reservations required)
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum open for tours (donations requested)
• Noon — Great Dismal Swamp’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Pavilion Tour ($5 per person, reservations required)
• 2 to 3 p.m. — “The Battle of Suffolk: Through Soldier’s Letters,” a presentation by Kermit Hobbs at Morgan Memorial Library
• 3 p.m. — Historic Downtown Narrated Bus Tour ($5 per person, reservations required)
• 6 p.m. — Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk ($10 per person, reservations required)