Started in 2001, History on the Go began as a response to September 11th, which limited school transportation to visit our site. Since then the program has traveled to all five boroughs, and nearby New Jersey – generating successful reviews and touching the lives of hundreds of students. History on the Go is a series of educational programs designed to enhance classroom learning with lively interactive lessons provided by professional educators from our trained interpretive staff. Recently, after Super Storm Sandy, the program helped us bring the museum to the schools when buses were not available to bring the students to the museum.
Buttermaking: Making butter was a common chore for a family that kept cows. Students learn why people made this household staple and the importance of butter in early American cooking. They investigate the science behind a butter churn and take turns helping to make butter. Students sample the butter they made. Grades pre K - 2.
Chores and Fun: Children played an important role in the household work of early America. In this program, students participate in a range of barnyard and household chores, including beating a rug. They discuss the changing balance of work and play, contrasting the past with their own experience. Everyone has a chance to play with old time wooden toys during the program. Grades K - 3.
Ready for Winter: Before winter comes, a family needs to have a pantry and cellar full of foods preserved and stored from the harvest. Students discuss the variety of food available before refrigeration and motorized transportation. They learn how farm families prepared food for storage through the winter. Students prepare food for drying in the classroom. Grades 2 - 5, offered in November only.
Dressing the Part: How people dress tells a lot about their lives. This program challenges students to compare the fashion and function of their own clothes with the kind worn by nineteenth century children. Grades 2 - 5.
Fiber to Cloth: Right in your classroom, a costumed educator facilitates a hands-on one-hour lesson about the processes, materials, and tools used in early America to produce cloth. Designed to relate to Math, Social Studies and Language Arts curriculum and standards. Grades 3 - 5.