FIELD TRIPS
SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS TO THE MILL MUSEUM
The Mill Museum welcomes educational field trips from schools, universities, scout groups, summer camps, and other organizations. Please call 860-456-2178 to arrange a field trip to the Museum. Field trips are by appointment, and one or more of the Museum’s educators will work with your organization to tailor the experience to your needs. The cost is $5.00 per student and chaperone. There is no fee for teachers. Field trips are free for Town of Windham public schools.
Tours are given by trained Museum educators. The content and duration of your field trip will be shaped to meet your needs. The average field trip usually lasts about 1.5 hours. Groups of up to 120 can be accommodated for tours. Bag lunches may be eaten in the Windham Mills Heritage River Park or Garden on the Bridge across the street, or in the Museum during inclement weather.
HANDS-ON HISTORY PROGRAMS
Hands-on history programs can be integrated into your school field trip and are available for an additional $1 per student and last about 20-30 minutes, depending on group size. Hands-on history programs are normally held in the Museum’s on-site classroom in Dugan Hall. The topics listed below are currently under review. Contact us to make sure the programs you want are still being offered.
GRADES 3 THROUGH 6 – SPIN AND WEAVE
Students will learn to weave yarn on cardboard looms and craft a woven piece of cloth approximately 3×3 inches.
GRADES 3 THROUGH 6 – IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA
Students will reenact being processed as a European immigrant arriving through Ellis Island in the early 20th century. The Museum provides simulated travel documents or blank documents to allow the students to create their own immigration documents as a pre-visit activity.
GRADES 4 THROUGH 6 – ASSEMBLY LINE ACTIVITY
Students will develop an understanding of the effectiveness of mass production. Individual students will follow instructions and build a structure. Then, in assembly line groups, students will specialize and experience how many more pieces can be produced.
GRADES 4 THROUGH 6 – ON THE JOB TRAINING IN THE BOX SHOP
Students will follow directions and experience their first day working in the mill making paper thread boxes.
GRADES 4 AND UP – WALKING TOUR
Students will take a guided tour around the industrial mill village, which includes worker’s company houses, mill buildings and the Willimantic River.
SLIDE PRESENTATIONS
Slide presentations can be integrated into your school field trip and are available for an additional $1 per student and last about 20-30 minutes, depending on group size. Slide presentations take place in the the Museum’s on-site classroom in Dugan Hall. They can also be brought to your classroom or meeting space. Fees for classroom visits are negotiable, and depend on distance. Call (860) 456-2178 or email info@millmuseum.org to talk to one of our educators.
GRADES 6 AND UP – THE COTTON BOOM
Illustrates the run-of-the mill through a tour of the Willimantic Linen Company.
GRADES 6 AND UP – VICTORIAN (GILDED AGE) ARCHITECTURE
The many styles of residential and commercial architecture in 19th-century mill towns.
GRADES 7 AND UP – SWEATSHOP LABOR: PAST AND PRESENT
