Historic New England presents our award-winning school programs specifically for homeschool families

Historic New England is proud to present a wide variety of programs for homeschool families.

For each program:

• Except where noted, the program cost for each child is $16 for nonmembers/$12 for Historic New England members. One adult per group is admitted free, any additional adults pay full price.
• Unless otherwise noted, programs run from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Children MUST be accompanied by an adult; these are not drop-off programs.
• Strollers and backpack carriers are not permitted in the house museums.
• Program description includes the subject area or areas it primarily covers, as well as the suggested age range for participants.

There must be a minimum of 5 children registered for programs to run. Programs are limited to 24 people. Full payment is due at the time of registration and is non-refundable (unless program is cancelled by us due to under-enrollment). No registrations will be accepted on the day of the program. Questions? Email [email protected]

2020 Program Schedule

Please note: The remaining 2020 programs are sold out. We will post the 2021 programs in January.

Tuesday, September 1 Water Science: Ecology at the Pond and the Bay – Ages 5-14 Science and Nature. Casey Farm, Saunderstown, R.I. Compare and Contrast two distinct ecosystems – the saltwater Narragansett Bay and the freshwater Casey Farm irrigation pond – through close-up, hands-on examinations of the flora and fauna living in and around each. Prepare to get muddy as we catch and examine (then safely release) fish, crabs, frogs, snails, and more!

*Please note this is an afternoon program, running from 1:00-3:30

Monday, September 14 (De)light and Surprise: Designing Wonder at Beauport – Ages 5-14 Art and Design. Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, Gloucester, Mass. Henry Davis Sleeper was one of America’s first professional interior designers, and his summer home was his laboratory and showcase. Participants explore Sleeper’s use of light and the ways he incorporated elements of surprise throughout the house as inspiration for their own works of art.

This program will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Groups of up to four people will reserve a time and have a private tour, followed by an art making activity, and ending with an outdoor scavenger hunt. Each group will spend 90 minutes on the property. Registration opens soon. Each time slot will cost $40 ($25 for members).

 

Monday, October 19 Dirt Detectives – Ages 5-14 Archaeology. Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury, Mass. October is Massachusetts Archaeology Month! Participants become archaeologists as they excavate a mock pit with actual tools of the trade and process reproduction artifacts in a field lab. Inside the museum, they explore building archaeology via trap doors. They analyze objects to learn about daily life at the farm over the last 300 years.

 

Wednesday, December 9 Deck the Halls: A Celebration of Christmas – Ages 5-14 Art and Celebration. Eustis Estate, Milton, Mass. Many of the Christmas customs we take for granted today were invented or popularized during Victorian times and were flourishing when the Eustis Estate was built in 1878. We invite you to learn the history of Christmas while exploring the lavishly decorated mansion. Participants will create a variet of holiday crafts, enjoy seasonal refreshments, and receive a small wrapped gift.
*This program costs $20 members/$25 nonmembers