Educational Programs:

 

FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN:

The North Andover Historical Society plays an important and active role in bringing history alive for children of all ages.   The following programs meet many of the core concepts of the Massachusetts Frameworks for Social Studies at various grade levels.

Through a Child’s Eyes:  Daily Life at Johnson Cottage

This two-rotation program introduces children in grades 1-3 to life in times past.  Students are introduced to the daily life of children in the 1820s when they visit Johnson Cottage.  They experience first hand the scale of early Federal dwellings, learn about the evolution of technology that impacted the production of readymade clothing, and discover what their jobs would be in an early 19th century family. Each student participates in churning butter, using reproduction clothing of the 1820s, and visiting a sleeping attic.  Cost per student outside North Andover, $5

New:  Expanded Program on Daily Life

Adaptable to early grades and third graders studying local history units, this four part rotation includes “Going to School”; “What Would I Wear “ or “Quiltmaking” unit; Apprentices and Home Work: Carpentry & Woolen production; and finally, A Visit with Mrs. Johnson.  This program can accommodate up to three classes in one visit. 

Cost is $5 per child.

 

Looking for the Past:  Local History All Around Us

When the study of local, or community history was assigned to the third grade curriculum, the Society developed several multi-part programs including a photographic presentation to provide a brief overview of the town's history, a scavenger hunt of the town buildings and history, andan in-classroom presentation with study kit on using artifacts to discover history. These various in-classroom programs are currently being offered free of charge as a service to the North Andover community. 

Several field trip options are available for third grade classes, utilizing the Old Center Village (on hold until the completion of the construction), Johnson Cottage, or the Parson Barnard House and Barn. The above-described expanded program on Daily Life is also a good option for third grade classes. 

Fifth Grade classes can schedule a workshop in the Old Burial Ground that looks at colonial views of death, disease and the infamous 1692witch trials. 

Cost for any of the field trip options is  $5 per child.

 

House Detectives at Parson Barnard House

Long before the PBS program of the same name, we have conducted our “Become a House Detective” at the Parson Barnard House and Barn.   The program explores the concept of change over time, the impact of the Industrial Revolution, and man’s impact on his environment.   The “Detectives” looks for signs of technological advancements, and discover what improvements the age of manufacturing made in New England domestic life.    The evolution in agricultural tradition and technology from the 18th to the early 20th centuries is explored in the 1812 Carriage Barn.  Students are exposed to a wide variety of agricultural tools from the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries; discuss their uses and which equipment children would have used regularly in the 1800s.  A few tools are available for the students to operate.

The cost is  $5 per student.

 

 

Outreach Children’s Programs:

Programs are available in the classroom or for groups (scouts, home schoolers) on a variety of topics including local history, holidays, schools of the past and other exhibit related topics (ie. Civil War, 18th Century in the North Parish).  Programs can be adapted for grades 1-12, for public school classrooms or home schooled children.  Specific scout badge programs are available.  Teacher workshops are also offered on developing programs based the Society’s local history resources.  Fees depend on the scope of the program desired. 

Adventures in Time Vacation Workshops and Summer Enrichment Program:

Every year, Adventures in Time focuses on a different theme and time period in history, and then introduces these topics in single half-day hands-on activity workshop during the winter and spring vacation and expands on that theme during a two-session program during July and August.  During the summer, twelve participants come in for five days from 9:30-2:30 to experience first hand different aspects of life during the development of the American nation through a variety of traditional crafts and trades. Several field trips to historic sites in and around the area give the children a chance to explore the history of the entire region.  The fee is set according to current market demand.  Each component can be attended separately as an independent unit.

 

Adult/Family Programs:

 

Ongoing Lecture Series:

The yearly lecture program is a mix of presentations by members of the Historical Society and local residents based on their own on-going historical research and scholars who will discuss various topics of general interest.  These lectures are open to members and the general public.  Past topics have included the witchcraft trials of 1692, First Period Houses, and the Tavern Acres historic district. The Society also offers annual series on specific topics like the “This Old North Andover House” and “Behind the Scenes”, which focuses on a different aspect of the day to day running of a small history museum.

 

Other Programs:

The North Andover Historical Society offers a variety of activities throughout the year.  These include the annual Trails and Sails walking tour, 17th Century/First Period Saturdays, and the Holiday Open House.  Other programs can include bus and walking tours based on the architectural history of the town.

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Page Last Modified Wed 04-07-2010 17:07