[IHHAAC Update] Accokeek Foundation Announces Redesigned School Tours

[IHHAAC Email Newsletter]

Press Release

Contact: MaryAlice Bonomo

Phone: 301.283.2113, ext 28

Email: education at accokeek.org

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 


Accokeek Foundation Announces Redesigned School Tours


 

A trip to the Accokeek Foundation's National Colonial Farm offers students a
unique opportunity to step back in time to a farm in Colonial Maryland. By
meeting a character from the past (a costumed interpreter) and experiencing
what life was like for an ordinary tobacco planting family in 1775, children
begin to make important connections between the past and the present, and
people's relationship to the land. Our professional museum educators lead
students in this walk through history, encouraging children to use both
their minds and their senses during their visit to this very special living
history museum.

 

Programs are offered September through June, and are scheduled Monday
through Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Special arrangements can be
made for an afternoon tour or a weekend program. Educators are strongly
encouraged to begin booking tours for the 2008-2009 school year. Please
reserve your date today by calling 301.283.2113, ext. 28 or by emailing
education at accokeek.org.

 

These programs supplement social studies and environmental education in the
classroom and include pre- and post-trip preparation and activities. Please
note that changes have been made to the school tours.

 

"Colonial Farm Life"
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
60 students maximum, 1 1/2 hours
What would life have been like in 1775 for the children of a middling
tobacco planter? Each child carries the picture of an object that was
important on this farm and assists the museum educator when that object is
discussed. Children help with the chores and try their hand at Colonial
games in this very hands-on tour.

 

"Time Traveling the Seasons of a Colonial Farm"
2nd and 3rd Grades
60 students maximum, 2 hours
Traveling back in time to 1775, students explore the Bolton farm from the
perspective of 8-year-old Ben Bolton and 12-year-old Charity Bolton. They
learn the important role played by children in producing the cash crop of
tobacco. They discover how each season brings its own set of tasks, from
planting and caring for crops in the spring and summer, to harvesting and
preserving food in the fall, to carding, spinning and knitting wool in the
winter.

 

"Eve of the Revolution"
4th through 8th Grades
60 students maximum, 2 hours
Students take on the role of Colonial reporters doing research for an
article on how the rising conflict with England is affecting the lives of an
ordinary tobacco planter and his family in 1775. With press passes in hand,
the "reporters" ask questions (pre-determined and their own) as they walk
from the Potomac River with its view of Mount Vernon through the property of
middling tobacco planter Benjamin Bolton. They also interview "Mrs. Bolton"
about how her life is being affected by the threat of war.

 

We request a donation of $3.50 per child to participate in the educational
programs. A donation of $2.00 per child is requested for Title I schools.
These innovative programs meet content standards for school curriculum
development in both Maryland and Virginia. 

 

Additional Opportunities
With our heritage breed animals, Museum Garden, Ecosystem Farm and National
Park trails, the Accokeek Foundation has a wealth of resources that can be
used by teachers to create unique experiential learning opportunities for
students of all ages. We welcome the opportunity to work with you in
designing a special program for your students. 

 

For more information about this and other events or classes, please visit
the Accokeek Foundation's web site at www.accokeek.org
<http://www.accokeek.org/> .

 

The Accokeek Foundation

3400 Bryan Point Road

Accokeek, Maryland 20607

301.283.2113

 

Founded fifty years ago to protect the view across the Potomac River from
Mount Vernon, the Accokeek Foundation, an educational non-profit, became one
of the nation's first land trusts. Today, the Foundation stewards 200 acres
of Piscataway National Park in Accokeek, Maryland, where visitors can hike a
network of trails winding through wetlands, visit a native tree arboretum,
and observe an award-winning forest restoration project. To emphasize the
connection between nature and history, part of the site includes the
National Colonial Farm, a living history museum that depicts a Maryland
middle-class family farm on the eve of the American Revolution. Nearly
extinct historic crops and animals are preserved here for future
generations. The Foundation's organic Ecosystem Farm emphasizes the future
of agriculture as organic farmers learn the tools of a new trade, practice
sustainable use of natural resources, and shares of the farms produce are
sold to households in the community.  The park's beautiful grounds, trails
and programs are open to the public year round.

 

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