The Fairfield Museum’s education programs include American Revolution & Colonial Life Programs, Guided Tours, Primary Source Workshops, Outreach Programs and tours of the 1750 Ogden House, serving over 6,500 Pre-K – Grade 12 students, adult learners and educators from the region. Our 3rd grade program features a Scavenger Hunt, Collections Workshop and Native American hands-on activities.
Programs align with local and Connecticut language arts and social studies curriculum, the National Council for Social Studies C3 Frameworks, and reinforce Common Core goals.
All programs start at $5 per student. Check to see if your school qualifies for our Fee Waiver Program.
School Programs
Meet the Militia – Living History
An educator in period uniform reveals the challenges of a soldier’s life during the American Revolution. Learn about the essential items a soldier had to carry, what a wool uniform might feel like, and how a musket was fired. From the powder horn and musket to the haversack and flint, hear engaging stories of how soldiers faced hardships in battle and survived. This program is perfect for all ages. Ask about hosting Living History as an outreach program in your classroom.
Revolution in Connecticut: Colonial Life Walking Tour
Explore the role of Fairfield and Connecticut in the Revolution and the events that forced townspeople to take sides. Primary source letters, paintings and objects help to tell harrowing personal stories of the people affected by the war, including the Silliman family, whose lives were affected by a kidnapping by the Loyalists. Meet the wealthy Burr family who hosted visits from John Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Aaron Burr. Walk in the steps of the British soldiers who invaded the town in 1779 and set up headquarters along Beach Road. Learn about these events and how the townspeople fought back. This program is perfect for all ages.
Museum Collection
What can objects tell us? View original and reproduction artifacts up close and discover the stories that give objects different meaning. See how collections can transport us to a different time by piecing together a story utilizing a painting, a letter, photographs and objects. These pieces can tell fascinating stories as well as prompt additional questions about how people lived in the past. Recommended for students in 2nd – 5th Grade.
Old Burying Ground Challenge
This orienteering scavenger hunt uncovers fascinating details about the lives of the colonial settlers, soldiers and sailors. Students learn how to use a compass and work in teams throughout the cemetery, answering questions that reinforce critical thinking, team building, geography and math skills. Students discover patterns about life and death in colonial times and how gravestone imagery reflects changing beliefs. Recommended for students in 5th -12th Grade
Drama in the Sun Tavern
This tavern operated by Samuel and Hannah Penfield was built immediately after the Burning of Fairfield by the British in 1779. In the tap room, students can become a local and sit at a tavern table, empty out the mailbag or read a newspaper from 200 years ago. Upstairs, take on the life of a traveler staying overnight. Following a brief tour, students re-enact excerpts from primary and secondary sources to reveal perspectives from Patriots and Loyalists, acting out the events that occurred when the British invaded in 1779. Recommended for students in 5th – 12th Grade
Native American Culture
Corn is an important American crop that was introduced to the colonists by Native Americans. This important plant was not only a source of food, but its fibers were used for many purposes, including weaving, bedding and making dolls. Through photographs and reproduction objects, students learn about Native American culture and then create their own corn husk dolls that children made hundreds of years ago. Recommended for students in 2nd – 5th Grade.
Creating Community Scavenger Hunt
The Creating Community exhibition invites students to explore the history of Fairfield and its region over the past four centuries. In groups, students will complete a Scavenger Hunt to find clues and answer questions about individuals, families, and groups of people featured in the exhibition. In the process, students will learn how people worked, lived, and built our community over time. Recommended for students in 2nd – 5th Grade
Tour the 1750 Ogden House
Learn about life in colonial times through the history and architecture of the 1750 Ogden House. Explore rooms furnished with period artifacts that reveal different aspects of life in the 18th century. The Ogden Family worked hard to farm the land and provide food and clothing for their children, but enjoyed a few luxuries, as well. This all ages program has the option of being a two part program which includes a presentation in your classroom making use of original and reproduction objects related to trades from the period.
Connecticut Social Studies Frameworks
The Connecticut Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Frameworks (CSSF) was created and written by a team of Connecticut social studies educators. The CSSF is guided by the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards, created by social studies experts and specialists throughout the United States. The Fairfield Museum has worked with the CT State Department of Education, the CT Council for Social Studies, UCONN Neag School of Education, and the CT League of History Organizations as well as other organizations to offer Professional Development and resources in order to implement the Connecticut Social Studies Frameworks. The C3 and CSSF has informed the Fairfield Museum’s educational programs and supports our mission to use history to strengthen community and help shape its future.
