The philosophy underlying Mount
Gulian’s school programs is that children learn best when they are actively
involved in the learning process and when history is shown to be applicable
to their own experience. Children find history fascinating when they can touch
it, feel it, smell it and see it – as well as hear about it.
Mount Gulian’s experiential, curriculum-based school programs expand
classroom lessons and give students the opportunity to acquire historical
knowledge and skills through their use of the museum’s extensive collection
of primary documents, authentic artifacts and reproductions. The collection
includes: tools, maps, costumes, muskets and journals.
The programs are designed to promote the use of students’ critical thinking
skills by analyzing and evaluating data, reflecting upon the meaning of statements,
and forming judgments about the facts.
Grades 1 and up
Through the use of reproductions, students learn about the life of children
in the 18th century. Themes explored include recreation, education, family
life, responsibilities, clothing, and manners. This program demonstrates the
differences and similarities between colonial and today’s children.
Curriculum is presented in an age appropriate manner.
Grades 3 and up
Designed to acquaint students with the period of settlement in the Hudson
Valley, this program focuses on the ways of life of the Lenape Native Americans
and the early fur traders, such as Gulian Verplanck. The presentation and
activities focus on the economic and historical forces that shaped the region.
Students engage in a fur trading simulation by operating trading posts and
trading furs for goods.
Grades 4 and up
This program focuses on a rare opportunity for students to investigate the
life experiences of actual Revolutionary War soldiers as described in their
books, letters, and diaries. Students work in teams to investigate several
aspects of a soldier’s life and then report their discoveries back to
the class. The program allows students to explore items that might commonly
be found in a soldier’s haversack and to assume the role of a soldier
by participating in General von Steuben’s drills and marches.
Grades 4 and up
Through the life of Robert Newlin Verplanck, students learn about some of
the complex issues of the period. The program, based upon an incredible treasure
of letters, firmly places a Verplanck son in Mr. Lincoln’s army in a
singularly noteworthy situation – that of training and leading African-American
troops into battle. Students learn of the contribution of the African-American
soldiers and the struggle to help them find their rightful place in the military
and in American society. The students actively experience concepts related
to the American Civil War experience in historical and present day context.
Grades 1 and
up
This program may be added to the Dutch Settlers and Trade with the Native
Americans program, or it can be booked alone. Mount Gulian was the summer
location for the Wappinger Native Americans until the 1700’s. Students
learn of their native long houses, the foods grown, the local game hunted
and the wampum created from quahog shell. Walk the paths and grounds with
the museum educator and learn the life story of the last leader of the Wappinger
People, Sachem Daniel Nimham. Nimham participated in a number of battles for
America's Independence and perished at the Battle of Kingsbridge in the Bronx
on August 31, 1778.
Grades 1 and
up
A Native American craft, for example, a pouch, bows, printing of symbols,
puppets, can be added to the above Wappinger Native Americans program and
the Dutch Settlers and Trade with the Native Americans at an additional cost
of $5.00 per child.
All
Grades
We offer age appropriate hands-on craft workshops to provide students with
the experience of being a community member in the Colonial and Revolutionary
periods. Working along the side of professional artists, students assume the
roles of "apprentices" and learn how to make utensils for the home,
weave cloth for their clothing, and make toys. Please contact us for fee information.
We will gladly bring our history programs to your school. The fee is $6 per
student, plus mileage for the history programs. Additionally, you may also
add to your visit a pre and/or post hands-on visit by local artists. Artists,
working with Mount Gulian, will instruct your students in colonial crafts.
The artist visit fee is $125 per 25 students, plus supplies and mileage.
• Programs require advance reservations.
Call (845) 831-8172 or e-mail info@mountgulian.org.
• A confirmation letter and pre- and post-visit activity packets are
provided.
• All programs have hands-on activities intended to provide a greater
appreciation for the past and greater retention of what has been learned.
• Programs can be adapted to accommodate the developmental needs of
a range of ages.
• Trained museum educators are dressed in period clothing.
• All on-site programs are approximately 1 1/2 hours in length, except
for the combined Dutch Traders and Trade with the Native Americans and The
Wappinger Indians which is approximately 3 hours.
• Cost: $5.00 per child; teacher and one adult chaperone per class are
free. If booking Dutch Traders and Trade with the Native Americans and The
Wappinger Indians the cost is $10.00 per child.
• Lunch: The museum does not have eating facilities. However, students
may eat on the riverside lawn, weather permitting. All garbage must be taken
back to school.
• The “Trading Post” gift shop will be open at the conclusion
of the programs. Students will find the “Trading Post” stocked
with traditional educational toys and craft of the period relating to history
curriculum.
To
book a school program, call:
(845) 831-8172
Mount Gulian Historic Site
145 Sterling Street
Beacon, New York 12508
info@mountgulian.org
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