Homeschool Days at the Connecticut Historical Society feature programs specifically designed for homeschool families. These events give children the opportunity to enjoy engaging, educational workshops and connect with other homeschool families.
CHS museum educators lead short workshops around a variety of topics throughout the day. Families may sign up for as many or as few sessions as they like, and classes appropriate for children ages 5 and up are available during each session. Workshops are hands-on and participatory, and many include a take-home element.
Upcoming Dates
- September 9, 2019
- Registration opens August 12
Cost
- Each workshop is $7 per student for CHS members and $10 per student for non-members.
- For the full day (three workshops), the fee is $15 per student for CHS members and $24 per student for non-members.
- Children 4 and under are free, but must be registered.
- Up to two adults per family are admitted free of charge. Adults must remain in the building at all times.
- Maximum cost per family is $85.
Toddler Time
- During the day, our auditorium space will be available with drop-in, parent-led toys, crafts, and coloring sheets for siblings ages 4 and under. Families must register toddlers, and adults must remain with their toddler at all times.
Pre-Registration Required
- Enrollment is limited and families must pre-register. Full, non-refundable payment via credit card or check must be made at the time of registration to reserve your child’s place. Please contact Rebecca Gross at (860) 236-5621 x232 or email education_assistant@chs.org to register.
- Registration closes September 4 for the September 9 Homeschool Day.
September 9, 2019 Program Schedule
Ages 5-7
10:00 – 10:50 AM: Tell Me a Story
How do stories help us learn? Explore how Native Americans in Connecticut use storytelling to share their values and beliefs. Discuss the important lessons from a Native American legend and investigate natural objects related to the story.
11:00 – 11:50 AM: Trees, Hills, and Barns, Oh My!
How does our land help tell the story of our state? Learn about communities throughout Connecticut’s past by exploring images of farms, homes, and landscapes from long ago. Using history as inspiration, create your own collage to take home.
12:30 – 1:20 PM: Citizens: We Help Out!
What does it mean to be a good citizen? Listen to a story about citizenship and talk about the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a community. Then create your own booklet about how you can help out in the communities you’re a part of.
Ages 8-11
10:00 – 10:50 AM: Fighting for Equality
Discover how African Americans and their allies resisted discrimination during the years after the Civil War. Explore our Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow exhibit, read a story about people fighting injustice, and design a monument to honor those involved in the struggle.
11:00 – 11:50 AM: Charter Oak: Fact or Fiction?
Be a history detective! Uncover the logistical mystery of the legend of the Charter Oak. What route might the colonists have taken? Using maps and hands-on investigative techniques, we will draw conclusions about this exciting Connecticut tale.
12:30 – 1:20 PM: Small Details, Big Stories
Slow down, zoom in, and explore history through art! Sometimes the smallest details tell us the most interesting tales about the past. Look closely at different forms of art from our collection to discover some fascinating stories about Connecticut.
Ages 12+
10:00 – 10:50 AM: Secret Lives of Structures
Can buildings tell stories? Using items from the CHS collection, you will examine important Connecticut buildings and the stories hidden within their walls. Explore paintings and sources to unlock a few of these historical secrets.
11:00 – 11:50 AM: The Will to Resist
Explore our Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow exhibit and analyze historical images to learn about the ways African Americans fought back against their oppression during the Jim Crow Era. Then create a protest sign for a cause you believe in.
12:30 – 1:20 PM: Connecticut Witch Trials
Do you know which state in New England had the first witch trials? If you’re thinking of our neighbor to the north, think again! Connecticut’s trials predate the Salem witch panic by over 40 years. Join us as we investigate this infamous time in our state’s history.
