The Park House Museum
Where Your History Lives
Registered Not-For-Profit/ Charitable Organization
CURRICULUM BASED PROGRAMS:
Student Tested and Teacher Approved
The History Detective
Classroom - Hands On Tinsmithing
Suitable for grades 5 and up. The Park House is now offering a hands-on classroom tinsmith program. Each student will be issued their own set of sanitized tinsmithing tools to use for the duration of the class; students will learn about the history of tinsmithing, tool safe-handling procedures, and make their own tin print to bring home. Museum staff come with proof of double vaccination. We are able to drop off the materials and host the program virtually. Call today for details.
Virtual Live Tours - for most programs.
You can enjoy the museum from the safety of your classroom
What is Foraging Through the Past?
This field trip is divided into two 45-minute stations.
-
Outdoor Artisans: Students will participate in an artisan workshop where they will learn about the art of tinsmithing; next, they will be able to choose a premade template or design a temple of their own to create a 4” by 6” tin print to bring home.
-
Foraging through the Past: While indoors, students will work in smaller teams to decipher the clues, answer the questions, and discover their role in history. Let’s break it down; each team will be given a name of a past person/ event and a series of support questions. With the use of technology, students will then search for the audio clues throughout the house, listen to the story/ details provided, and with the use of communication and critical thinking decipher who they were in the past. Content for this immersive foraging adventure has a heavy focus on the fur trade, European and Indigenous relations, and the socio-economic development of our area. Tablets will be provided for use throughout the immersive adventure; students are also welcome to use their cell phones as listening devices.
-
Students will be split into two main groups that will work in 45-minute sessions: one group will be indoors and the other outdoors and then rotate to the next station.
-
Meets curriculum expectations for grades: 6, 7, and 8
FTTP: The Nitty Gritty
-
On - site field trip
-
1.5 hours
-
Indoors and Outdoors
-
The base cost per 1.5 hour field trip reservation is $175.00 (this includes up to 25 students)
-
Max number of students is 30 per 1.5 hour reservation
-
$7.00 per extra student
-
Up to 3 Chaperones, FREE
-
This program is rain or shine (with the exception of severe weather)
The History Detective:
An online experience
Cookies and Books with the Parks
Children get to listen to a story read by a costumed interpreter. A juice box and cookies are included with this program, which is geared toward children in preschool.
Heritage and Identity: 1780 – 1850
This program illustrates the lifestyle of pioneer children and their families. Students learn how children lived without running water, indoor washrooms, electricity, and gender roles. Exhibits and artifacts show the students how to compare pioneer traditions and how they differ from today’s society. In addition, through the use of stories that celebrate Indigenous authors, the museum discusses how the pioneer lifestyle affected the pre-existing indigenous peoples.
What did pioneer children do for fun? How can we embrace diversity? Join us for the spectacular walk-through and hands-on activity.
Herbs and Heritage
This program teaches students about the historical importance of herbs and their uses. Students look at the different characteristics of the plant. Gardening is the hands-on activity; students plant an herb to take home.
Healthy Habits: Disease and Medical Development in Canadian History
This program investigates healthy habits, medical practices of our ancestors, local progress, the development of germ theory, gender roles, and the professionalization of nursing. Students are able to view Victorian medical insturments. What do we do differently? Hands-on Activity is included with this tour
Land, Economics, and Politics: Loyalists and the Fur Trade
This comprehensive program looks at the trade relations between Indigenous peoples and Early Europeans, the development of Canada, and its relevance to the museum. The students also gain an outlook into the settlement of Windsor and Essex County. Students will have the opportunity to critically assess the negative and positive aspects of the fur trade, land development, and the long-term effects of colonialism in Canada.
Students also participate in a hands-on tinsmithing experience.
The American Revolution and the Park House History: House Tour
Built in the 1790’s at the mouth of the Rouge River in Michigan, this house is rooted in a rather unusual history; during the house tour students learn of the house history and of its connection to the United States. How did the American Revolution affect the development of a Canadian town? Hands-on activity is included with this tour.
French Settlements in Essex County
While the program is in the delivered in the English language, it is rather rich in cultural heritage. Students take a look into the past and discover French influences during the settlement of Essex County. Highlights include: Assumption Missionary, settlement of Detroit, the Fur Trade, Indigenous People, the Seven Years’ War, and Petite Cote. Hands-on activity is included with this tour.
Past Traditions: Victorian Christmas
Suitable for children in the primary grades, this whimsical program illustrates how children and families celebrated Christmas in the 1850's. Stringing popcorn, singing carols, baking cookies and making crafts are among the number of possibilities to customize this programs to your students’ needs and interests.
Past Traditions: All Hallows Eve and the Autumn Harvest
This program examines at the history of Halloween. Beginning with the Irish tradition of All Hallows Eve and 19th Century immigration to Essex County, students learn of the transition into the Halloween that we know today. At the same time, students learn the importance of the harvest and celebration surrounding autumn. Students are able to see Edwardian decorations and try a hands-on activity. This program is also available as a secondary/ post – secondary lecture.
Booking:
To book your school program, contact please call 519-736-2511.
At the time of booking be prepared to provide:
-
Preferred date(s) and time(s)
-
Grade, number of students and staff, and any accessibility requirements or special requests.
-
Book your Museum visit early to ensure the date and time you prefer!
-
Please contact us at any time with questions about our programs, or to make changes to your booking.
Cancellations:
Should there be any changes in the time or date of your booking or the number of students attending, please contact the Museum as soon as possible. Cancellations must be provided 48 hours before booked date(s), failure to do so will result in a cancellation fee.
Secondary and
Post – Secondary Programs
Archaeological Studies: Culture and Artifacts in Southwestern Ontario
This programs looks at various Aboriginal cultures in Southwestern Ontario (8000 BC to 1800 AD). Students are able to examine arrow points in the museum’s collection and discuss methods of surveying, excavation, and artifact collection.
Women and War, 1914 – 1945
This is a lecture based program that looks at the role of women in the First and Second World Wars. What types of policies were introduced that contribute to modern society?
Politics and Fashion in Victorian Britain
Politics, Industrial Revolution, the Royal Family, Trade Unionism, Gender Roles, Consumerism, and Fashion in Victorian Britain; students will learn how these are all interconnected while examining clothing artifacts from the era.
Oh Grammar, You’re So Funny!
Designed for senior high school and post-secondary students, this lecture based program is satirical sketch designed to promote proper grammar and facilitate functional writing skills.
