School Programs
These education programs were made possible in part by grant funding from the Danversbank Foundation, the Perkin Fund, and the Society for Colonial Wars. We are grateful for their generous support
 Goody O'Grumpity
Traveling Colonial Program
ENHC Milestone Award Winner!
Goody O’Grumpity visits your classroom to mesmerize students with a diorama of her cooking hearth and tales of early colonial life in New England. Goody shares touchable artifacts from the museum and, after having read Carol Ryrie Brink’s poem, invites students to take turns grinding spices that are left with the teacher for baking Goody’s spice cake. Goody sends the recipe ahead so it can also be made for a snack that day. (45 minutes) Pre-K - Grade 2
$140.00 per session up to 25 students, additional same day program $85.00 per group of up to 25, plus mileage.
Lynn- “The program was organized and well-presented, all personnel involved with children were wonderful with the children!”
Back to top
Programs at the Museum or off-site
Colonial Life with the Claflins
Students will explore life in rural Colonial Massachusetts with an authentic hands-on experience in a 17th century home. Join Johanna Claflin at her hearth grinding spices, making butter, and performing the family’s daily household 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, one in the Claflin house and the other in Burnham Hall.
Learning stations will include candle dipping, schoolwork with a quill, weights and measures with the yoke, and traditional games of the period. This program incorporates the philosophy of the textbook Massachusetts our Home.
(2-2.5 hours) Grades 2-5 $7.50 per child
Back to top
Native Americans on the North Shore
As they are introduced to the history and daily life of Native Americans on the North Shore, students discover the people who were here before the first settlers and learn how they lived. Students participate in a pow-wow to learn about the Algonquians on the North Shore using the museum’s Native American artifacts, reproduction pieces, and renowned doll collection. Each student also constructs his/her own miniature longhouse to take home. (2 hours) Grade 2 - 5 $7.50 per child (plus travel fee and mileage if offsite)
Woburn - “We loved the hands-on artifacts and making our take home project. We’ll be back for future field trips.”
Rockport- “I’m thrilled to find a program about Native Americans near Rockport!”
Back to top
Cold Cash Crop: The Wenham Ice Industry
Queen Victoria insisted that her guests be served ice from Wenham Lake. How did this industry put Wenham, Massachusetts, on the map for a half a century? The study of Wenham Ice Industry through original photographs and tools of the trade provides a unique opportunity for students to understand the rise and decline of an industry. The program includes a look at simple machines through the demonstration of historic ice tools. (1 hour) Grade 2 - 5 $6.00 per child
(plus travel fee and mileage if offsite)
Ipswich - “The Wenham Museum program was both fun and informative.”
Back to top
Programs at the Museum
Building for the Future
This program provides a hands-on look at construction for young children. The class includes a study of the reconstruction of the museum through pictures and architect’s models. Each child completes a group project using the museum’s large collection of building blocks as well as an individual construction project to take home. New this year, through keen observation of the museum’s new exhibit on building and living "green" in the Egbert Gallery, students will learn the many details that go into the construction of a house or model and keeping it friendly to the environment. This will bring the children closer to the collections at the museum as well as introducing a whole new skill set and appreciation of structures to the students. (1.5 hours)
Grade 1 – 3 $7.00 per child.
Back to top
Fireside Chat
Meet Joanna McClaflin, mistress of the museum’s circa 1690 Claflin-Richards House, and learn about her life as one of the early settlers of the North Shore. Students gather in front of Joanna’s fireplace and hear stories about her family and their life in New England. Children question the costumed interpreter, discussing the differences between “then and now,” as they enjoy the historic room and learn about food production, trading, community life, and household duties of the Claflin family in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
(45 minutes) K - Grade 3 $6.50 per child
East Boston - “The program was well run, and overall very enjoyable.”
Back to top
Spinning and Weaving
This hands-on, interactive program demonstrates how wool is changed from raw material to cloth. We begin with slides, a discussion of the process of making cloth before the Industrial Revolution, and a fabric-centered tour of the 17th-century Claflin-Richards house. Children engage in the process of turning fleece to fabric, from teasing and carding fleece to spinning and dying, and then weaving. Each student produces an individual weaving project to bring home.
The program touches areas across the curriculum, including history, math, and science.
(2.5 to 3 hours) Grade 3 - 5 $7.50 per child
Gloucester - “A hidden treasure hidden no more!”
M is for Museum
A wonderful introduction to the world of museums for young children. Using the word “MUSEUM” as a focus, we discuss the functions of a museum and how we research and take care of it's
collections. Children become curators as they don white gloves and investigate real artifacts from our collections. The program includes a tour of the current exhibits and a trip to the model train gallery and the Family Discovery Gallery.
(1 hour) Pre-K - Grade 1 $6.50 per child
Back to top
Home School Programs
Enjoy the award winning Education programs at Wenham Museum with your home- schooled children. The museum is proud to offer this hands-on experience in historic American Life. The program is designed for home schooling families with children ages 6-13.
Homeschool Historians
Friday, September 24
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Per Student: $16.00
Includes admission to museum galleries
Program is limited to 20 participants, with a 12 person minimum.
Siblings ages 2-5 and parents receive a discounted gallery admission rate
Program appropriate for students ages 6 & up
Explore Colonial history through use of artifacts, inventories and primary documents, perform Colonial chores using real tools and cook and sample period recipes.
Registration: Call 978-468-2377 or email carolyn.nenart@wennhammuseum.org .
Registration must be done a week before the program paid in advance.
Back to top
Songs & Singing Games
A Weekly Music Program for Home-Schooled Children
Ages: For home-schooled children ages 5 to 11. Fridays starting Oct.1st through November 5th. Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m. Fee: $120 for the series of 6 classes. (Must register for all six.)
Michelle Roderick, education director of the renowned Revels, leads children as they explore the world of music through folk songs, singing games, and folk dances passed down through the ages around the world. Parents are invited to the last class to share in all the children have learned and enjoy the Wenham Museum together.
Minimum of 15 children required. Maximum of 22.
Registration: Call 978-468-2377 or email carolyn.nenart@wennhammuseum.org .
Registration must be done a week before the program paid in advance.
Back to top
Student Art Gallery
The museum offers local schools (pre-school through grade 12) the opportunity to display student artwork for a month in our Student Art Gallery. All artists are given a family pass to view their work while on display. Pre-K - Grade 12
Back to top
Family Discovery Gallery and Bennett E. Merry Train Gallery
The museum’s Family Discovery Gallery and Merry Train Gallery offer opportunities for students to enjoy a less structured trip to the museum. The interactive Family Discovery gallery features rotating hands-on activities exploring different themes related to museum collections. There are engaging and educational dress-up, building, and art-based activities, among many others. The Bennett E. Merry Train Gallery features six running lay-outs of model trains including a Salem to Newburyport line.
(1 hour) Pre-K - Grade 1 free with musuem admission or program.
Beverly School for the Deaf - “Really great, lots to see and do!”
Back to top
These education programs were made possible in part by grant funding from the Danversbank Foundation, the Perkin Fund, and the Society for Colonial Wars. We are grateful for their generous support |