Museum & Shop Hours
Wednesday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. │ Extended hours the first Wednesday of the month: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. │ Sunday – Tuesday: CLOSED

School Programs

HANDS-ON LEARNING IN A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

 

We would love to welcome your students to 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 participate in any of the programs listed on this page.

To request a school group reservation please use this form >>

For more information, please contact info@wenhammuseum.org.

Program Offerings

COLONIAL LIFE WITH THE CLAFLINS

Onsite at the Wenham Museum
Grades 2-4  

Run Time: 2.5 hours. For groups that want to have lunch at the museum, we suggest planning for 3-3.5 hours

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).

To request a school group reservation please use this form >> 

FIRESIDE CHAT

Onsite at the Wenham Museum in the
Claflin-Gerrish-Richards House

Kindergarten to Grade 2  

Run time: 40 minutes per group of 20 students. With larger groups, gallery exploration, and lunch time, we suggest planning for 1.5 – 2 hours  

This program complements the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Social Studies.

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).

To request a school group reservation please use this form >>

Planning Your Visit & FAQs

REGISTRATION 

To register for a school program, please use this form. 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. 

CHAPERONE POLICY 

Chaperones are encouraged to take an active role in the program.  The required number of chaperones depends on the grade of the group. Please see the list below. Required chaperones are included in field trip pricing. 

  • Preschool–Grade 2: 1 chaperone per 5 children 
  • Grades 3–5: 1 chaperone per 8 children 
  • Grades 6–8: 1 chaperone per 10 children 
  • Grades 9–12: 1 chaperone per 15 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. 

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 $7.00  per student for all programs.  All other school program policies apply. 

QUESTIONS 

For questions regarding programs on this page, please contact info@wenhammuseum.org. 

REGISTRATION 

To register for a school program, please use this form. 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. 

CHAPERONE POLICY 

Chaperones are encouraged to take an active role in the program.  The required number of chaperones depends on the grade of the group. Please see the list below. Required chaperones are included in field trip pricing. 

  • Preschool–Grade 2: 1 chaperone per 5 children 
  • Grades 3–5: 1 chaperone per 8 children 
  • Grades 6–8: 1 chaperone per 10 children 
  • Grades 9–12: 1 chaperone per 15 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. 

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 $7.00 [updated from $5] per student for all programs.  All other school program policies apply. 

 

QUESTIONS 

For questions regarding programs on this page, please contact info@wenhammuseum.org. ​

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