HANDS-ON LEARNING IN A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT

We would love to welcome your students to the Wenham Museum!  Our programs are designed with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in mind and create memorable hands-on learning opportunities for students.  Homeschool groups, scout troops, and after-school programs are also welcome to attend any of the programs listed on this page.

COLONIAL LIFE WITH THE CLAFLINS

Onsite at the Wenham Museum
Grades 2-4 | 2.5 – 3 hours
In Burnham Hall and the
Claflin-Gerrish -Richards House 

This program complements the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Social Studies.

Students will explore life in rural Colonial Massachusetts with an authentic hands-on experience in a 17th century home.  Gather ’round the hearth grinding spices, making butter, and learning about the family’s daily chores using colonial reproduction household tools. The program begins with a short introduction to colonial customs and dress, followed by two 50-minute hands-on experiences through a series of learning stations in both the historic Claflin-Gerrish-Richards house and in the museum’s program space.  Learning stations include candle dipping, schoolwork with a quill, weights and measures with a yoke, and traditional games of the period.  Rate: $12.00 per student.  The maximum number of students per day is 60.  The minimum number of students is 12 (i.e., the minimum fee is $144.00).

FIRESIDE CHAT

Onsite at the Wenham Museum in the
Claflin-Gerrish-Richards House
Kindergarten to Grade 2 | 1.5 – 2 hours

This program complements the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Social Studies.

At the Museum:  Meet a resident of the museum’s Claflin-Gerrish-Richards House (c. 1690) and learn about life as one of the early settlers of the North Shore.  Students gather in front of the fireplace and hear stories about family life in 17th century New England.  Children question a costumed interpreter, discussing the differences between “then and now” as they enjoy the historic room and learn about food production, trading, community life, and the household duties of the Claflin family in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Immersive learning experiences include trying on colonial clothing, grinding spices and churning butter. A scavenger hunt in the museum’s galleries rounds out this experience. Rate:  $10.00 per student.  The maximum number of students per day is 60.  The minimum number of students is 12 (i.e., the minimum fee is $120.00).

BEHIND-THE-SCENES
TOUR OF COLLECTIONS

Onsite at Wenham Museum
Grade 4+ | 90 minutes

What is a museum collection?  How does it work?  Who cares for it, and where does it live?  Learn the answers to these questions and more in a behind-the-scenes tour of the Wenham Museum’s collections storage spaces.  Museum staff will lead students into the storage spaces where 45,000 items in the museum’s permanent collection are kept.  A selection of special items not on display will also be shared with your class.  Rate:  $200.00 for the first session; $120.00 for each additional session.  Each session is limited to 15 people due to the nature of the museum’s collection storage spaces.

PATTON FAMILY in NEW ENGLAND TOUR

Onsite at the Patton Homestead
Grade 8+ | 90 minutes

Explore 20th century American history through the lens of the famous Patton family, who resided here on Boston’s North Shore.  In this program, students will see three rooms within the Patton Homestead much as the Patton family left it.  The property was the home of record for Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. of World War II.  Later, his son and daughter-in-law, Maj. Gen. George S. Patton (Vietnam War) and Joanne H. Patton, resided in the home for over 40 years.  The objects, books, and papers located within the space are full of history about World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Pattons’ family life on the North Shore.  Rate:  $200.00 for the first session; $120.00 for each additional session.  Each session is limited to 15 people.

M IS FOR MUSEUM

Pre-K to Grade 3 | 1.5 – 2 hours

M is for Museum is a wonderful introduction to the world of museums for young children. We discuss the functions of a museum and how we conserve and exhibit its collections. Children investigate real artifacts from our collections, curate their own mock exhibit, and engage in hands-on exploration of the current interactive exhibits and displays. The presentation aspect of the program is differentiated to fit the needs and objectives of each group.

Rate:  $8.00 per student.  The maximum number of students per day is 60.  The minimum number of students is 12 (i.e., the minimum fee is $96.00).

STUDENT ART GALLERY

Pre-K to Grade 12

The museum offers local schools (pre-school through grade 12) the opportunity to display student artwork for one month in our Student Art Gallery. All artists are given a family pass to view their work while on display.  To include your students’ art in the Student Art Gallery, please complete the linked form below.

The Wenham Museum is presently accepting student art gallery reservations for the 2024-2025 school year.

VOLUNTEER!

Volunteers are essential to the success of the Wenham Museum’s school and public programs.  If you would like to volunteer at the Wenham Museum, please explore the available opportunities on our Volunteer page.  CORI/SORI checks are required.  Thank you!

REGISTRATION

To register for a school program, please complete our School Group Reservation Form by clicking the red button below.  We ask that you provide three possible dates for your program.  The museum will review your request and contact you to finalize the date and other program details.  Dates in the months of November and May are in high demand and we advise reserving your program in advance.

INVOICES

An invoice will be provided upon request.  Please check the “I need an invoice” option on the Reservation Form.  Payment for your program is expected on the date of the program by cash, check, or credit card.

GATEWAY CITY PRICING

Public schools visiting from Massachusetts Gateway Cities pay $5.00 per student for all programs.  All other school program policies apply.

CHAPERONE POLICY

Chaperones are encouraged to take an active role in the program.  One chaperone is free for every ten children.  (Wenham Museum requires one adult chaperone for every ten children.)  Additional chaperones are welcome, but must pay the student rate (either $12.00, $10.00 or $8.00) for the program.  Teachers, aides, and others employed by the school or the school district are free.

QUESTIONS

For questions regarding programs on this page, please contact:

Margaurita Spear
Museum Educator
(978) 468-2377, ext. 1119 | e-mail

The Wenham Museum is presently accepting school group reservations for the 2024-2025 school year.