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Museum Tours

Museum tours and related activities are thematic and focus on a wide range of Connecticut history and civics topics. Programs take place in the museum’s exhibitions or in other non-exhibit spaces at the Connecticut Historical Society. Our programs are great for schools and youth programs, such as Scout troops, church groups, social service agencies, and after-school programs.

Pre-kindergarten – Grade 2

• Group Limit: 50 students or 2 classes
• Length: 1 ¼ hours
• Cost: $7 per student

Work and Play from Long Ago (Grades Pre-K-2)

In this introductory museum tour for our youngest visitors, students explore the museum, trying out a variety of hands-on activities to compare work done by men, women, and children in the past. After their "work" is done, students play with historic toys and games.

Native Americans and Natural Resources (Grades K-2)

This tour introduces students to the lives of Native Americans in early Connecticut and emphasizes their use of natural resources. Focus is placed on multi-sensory learning, a varied pace of activities, and handling reproduction objects. Students hear a Native American story and make a bear claw necklace to take home.

Grades 3 – 8

• Group Limit: 50 students or 2 classes
• Length: 1 ½ hours
• Cost: $8 per student

NEW!
This is Connecticut! (Grades 3-5)

What makes our state so special? During this thematic tour students will learn about famous Connecticut people, places, events, and products. From the mighty white oak to the tiny nutmeg, the sperm whale to the "Constitution State," students will explore the unique stories behind our state history and symbols. 

Building a Community (Grades 3-5)

This two-part program examines different elements that make up a community. Using a large floor map, students focus on the physical building of a community by creating their own city. In the exhibit portion, students learn about people in a community including the jobs they do, what they do for fun, where they live, and how they get their food. Map skills, object observations, and hands-on activities are emphasized throughout the program.

The Legend of the Charter Oak (Grades 3-5)

Why is the white oak a symbol of Connecticut’s strength and independence? During this program, students bring the people and events from the legend of the Charter Oak to life using a variety of dramatic techniques, period costumes, and specially-designed props. Students discover the significance of Connecticut's colonial charter and its connection to the legendary white oak tree. The program wraps up by looking at artifacts made from the original Charter Oak. Please note: This "process drama" program does not include a museum tour.

Growing Up in Colonial Connecticut (Grades 3-5)

Students explore the colonial period in Connecticut looking at the lives and experiences of both Native American and English colonial children. They examine artifacts and learn about children's daily routines, contrasting Native American and European traditions, including village life, clothing, and chores. Choose one of the following hands-on activities:

• Comparison Object Study: Native American and colonial artifacts
  
• School & Games: Make a hornbook and try colonial toys
  

NEW!
At Home in Connecticut (Grades 4-8)

What was daily life like in the past? In this thematic hands-on tour through our Making Connecticut exhibit, students compare their own lives to everyday life in Connecticut throughout history. From Native American home-life in the 1600s to modern life today, students learn about changes in food, shelter, and technology using object-based learning and hands-on activities.

Connecticut and the Revolution (Grades 4-8)

Students investigate how Connecticut citizens participated in the American Revolution, looking at issues from both the Patriot and Loyalist perspectives. They also experience the exhibition's "Revolutionary Theater" sound presentation, which dramatizes contemporary documents and letters and brings to life the struggles faced by everyday people.  Choose one of the following workshops or hands-on activities:

• The Soldier's Life: Students read and sign an "Oath of Allegiance" using a quill pen and examine soldier's clothing and equipment
• Primary Source Workshop: Students work with reproductions of primary source materials to discover information about the daily lives of colonists and soldiers during the war.

On the Move: Immigration and Migration to Connecticut (Grades 4-8)

This two-part program uses hands-on activities to introduce students to stories of moving to Connecticut. In the Making Connecticut exhibit, students try out the kinds of jobs done by different immigrant groups who arrived in Connecticut in the 19th and 20th centuries.  During the workshop, students work in teams to examine artifacts from "immigration trunks" and uncover many different family stories about moving to Connecticut.

The Three Branches of Government (Grades 4-8)

During this program students explore Connecticut's executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government and discover who makes the rules in Connecticut. To better understand the role of each branch, students elect a governor from among their classmates, debate a bill, and hold a mock trial. Through movement, improvisation, role-playing, and active participation, students learn the purpose of rules and laws, explore the separation of powers, and discover the rights and responsibilities of individuals.  Please note: This role-playing program does not include a museum tour.

Slavery and Abolition in Connecticut (Grades 6-8)

Students discover the history of slavery in our state from the enslavement of Native Americans and Africans in the early colonial period through the beginnings of the abolitionist movement and the Civil War. Students compare conditions of enslavement in the North and South and explore how different people in Connecticut felt about slavery. Students examine a selection of runaway slave advertisements from Connecticut newspapers and decide what information is explicit and what is implied. See the description of "The Story of Ruth" below for a related activity.

LOOKING FOR A LONGER VISIT OR A WAY TO ACCOMMODATE A LARGER GROUP?

These programs work well together for an extended day:

• The Three Branches of Government & Building a Community
• The Three Branches of Government & This is Connecticut!
• Slavery and Abolition in Connecticut & On the Move: Immigration and Migration to Connecticut
• Building a Community & This is Connecticut!

These programs work well for groups larger than 50:

• The Three Branches of Government & Building a Community
• The Three Branches of Government & This is Connecticut!
• The Three Branches of Government & Connecticut and the Revolution
• The Legend of the Charter Oak & Growing up in Colonial Connecticut
• The Legend of the Charter Oak & At Home in Connecticut
• The Legend of the Charter Oak & On the Move: Immigration and Migration to Connecticut

Grades 9 -12

• Group Limit: 50 students or 2 classes
• Length: 1 ½ hours
• Cost: $8 per student

Gallery Tour & Researching with Primary Sources Workshop

This two-part program emphasizes research and inquiry skills development, close observation, and analysis.  During one half of the program, students explore the interactive Making Connecticut exhibit through a guided, thematic tour. During the other half of the program, students visit the research center and work with original and reproduction documents or images from the CHS collection to develop an understanding of how to use primary resources to gather information. Working in groups, students examine and analyze 4-5 documents related to the chosen theme.

Please choose one of the following program themes:

• Connecticut and the American Revolution
• Slavery, abolition, and civil rights in Connecticut
• Connecticut in the Civil War
• Coming to Connecticut: 400 Years of immigration history
• Connecticut in World War II
• Women in Connecticut history
• Connecticut at war
• Change over time: towns, cities, and suburbs
• Other topic of the teacher's choice

Call or visit our exhibit page for more information about our exhibitions.

Historical Encounter: The Story of Ruth

• Grades 5+
  
• 45 minutes, including a question and answer session
  
• $375 (pre-payment is required)
  
• SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

This storytelling presentation is told in the first person by Ruth, an enslaved woman who details her experiences of capture, enslavement, and ultimately freedom. Through her dramatic narrative and thought-provoking questions, Ruth takes students along on her journey.