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Founded in 1896

Manchester Historic Association
School Programs

"Get into Manchester's History"

Group Educational Programs for Children
The Manchester Historic Association's educational programs for schools and other educational groups are interactive and child-friendly. The programs include Gallery Tours, Walking Tours, Discovery Activities, and Time Trunks . These are adaptable for grades K-12. The programs may be used to enhance studies of science, literature, mathematics, and art. They are appropriate for both home school and scout groups. Each program lasts 1 to 1½ hours depending on the needs of the group. One program can stand alone or may be combined with another for a full morning or afternoon's activities. For more information about programs call the MHA Public Program Coordinator at (603) 622-7531, ext. 305.

Fees for school and camp groups:
$3 per student for one program
$5 per student for any two programs
$3 for school group or camp chaperones
Free for teachers and camp counselors

Fees for homeschool groups and scout troops:
$3 per student and parent for one program
$5 per student and parent for two programs
Free for one leader per group
Toddler family members are welcome, free of charge.

There is a $25 minimum fee for groups of fewer than nine people.

The museum can accommodate groups of up to 25 students at a time.

Please contact the Public Program Coordinator to discuss options for larger groups.

GALLERY TOUR PROGRAMS

Each of these 1 to 1½ hour Gallery Tours in the Millyard Museum may be combined with a Discovery Activity or a Walking Tour.

A Place of Many Fish:
Native Peoples at Amoskeag Falls
Uncover what we know about the earliest people who came to Amoskeag Falls on the Merrimack River. Using clues such as artifacts found by local archaeologists, maps, pictures, and stories, students investigate the technology, trade, and cultural heritage of the early inhabitants of New Hampshire.

On the Merrimack:
Settlement and Growth in the Merrimack Valley
Learn how the early settlers in the area used natural resources to carve out a living on the frontier. See how the pre-industrial development of water-powered saw and grist mills and transportation canals changed the region and laid the foundation for the small town of Derryfield to become the largest industrial community in New Hampshire.

Being Industrious:
Discovering Manchester’s Textile Industry
Explore the history of textile manufacturing in Manchester. This interactive tour looks at documents, models, photographs, videos, machines, hands-on objects, and stories of people to explore the development of the textile industry in Manchester. Choice of emphasis includes: child labor, simple machines, waterpower, inventions, immigration, transportation, labor struggles, and the Civil War.

Inventors and Inventions
Discover how inventions changed the lives of citizens from yesterday and today. Learn about inventors and other creative people associated with the industrial revolution and the American textile industry. Find out about local historical figures such as Samuel Blodgett, Mattie Knight, Ezekiel Straw, and Nehemiah Bean, as well as modern day inventors. Lessons will include discussion of patents. In an optional, additional workshop, groups create inventions and apply for “patents” (see Discovery Activity Programs).

Immigrants Come to the Mills
As the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company textile mills grew, more workers were needed. Immigrants replaced farm girls as the new source of labor. Learn about the people who came to Manchester from many other countries to work at the AMC. Engage in role-play and use primary and secondary documents to explore the lives of the immigrant families of the Amoskeag.

Learning History through Literature
At the museum or in the classroom, discuss and read excerpts from a pre-selected book and view museum objects that relate to the story. Hands-on activities are included. Featured books are relevant to New Hampshire and Manchester history. A list of the books used is available.

WALKING TOUR PROGRAM

This 1 to 1½ hour walking tour may be paired with a Gallery Tour or a Discovery Activity. In poor weather an indoor program may be substituted for the walking tour.

Millyard Discovery:
Exploring a New Hampshire Industrial City

Wander with a guide through the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company Millyard and along the Merrimack River to find out what made this planned industrial city tick. Survey the area’s unique architectural and structural heritage. The construction of mills, canals, dams, and railroads supported the growth of industry along the river, making the Amoskeag Millyard one of the largest textile mill complexes in the world. Also, see where mill employees lived and worked.

DISCOVERY ACTIVITY PROGRAMS

Each of these 1 to 1½ hour Discovery Activity Programs in the Millyard Museum may be combined with a Gallery Tour or a Walking Tour.

Digging into the Past
Participate in some of the methods archaeologists and historians use to investigate the history that surrounds us.

Native Peoples at Amoskeag Falls
Experience through stories, games, and crafts how the earliest inhabitants of the Merrimack Valley lived and how they adapted to their environment.

A Child’s Life in Industrial New Hampshire
Learn about children growing up in 19th and early 20th century New Hampshire. Try typical activities a child might do related to work, chores, school, and leisure. Concepts of child labor and limited schooling are introduced. Also explores how new power and transportation technologies encouraged new forms of leisure activities.

Woven in Time: Making Cloth
Investigate textile making and looms by examining real working models of historic looms and trying simple weaving, printing, or dyeing.

Inventors and Inventions
Create inventions by making models, drawings and diagrams, and then apply for “patents.” Students demonstrate and explain their inventions. This program accompanies the Inventors and Inventions Gallery Tour.

TIME TRUNKS

Travel back in time without leaving the classroom!

Rent one of four traveling trunks for two weeks of self-guided, hands-on study in the classroom. Each steamer trunk contains real objects for students to examine and includes a notebook full of suggested lessons and activities, which may be photocopied. Local teachers designed each trunk. Use them as pre-visit or post-visit activities for a trip to the Millyard Museum, or to enhance your curriculum.

Rental fee for time trunks: $50 for two weeks ($35 for Manchester schools), plus $10 per day late fee.

Abenaki
Explore the lives of the first people living in the Merrimack River Valley region of New Hampshire.

Amoskeag Cotton
Examine cotton textile production and its history at the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company.

Manchester Electrified
Discover what life was like before electricity. See and touch real antique household objects.

School Days
Learn what school and daily life was like for students before the 21st century. Be challenged doing old-fashioned lessons. Play popular 19th century games.

GENERAL SCHOOL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Group programs are available Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Advance reservations for programs is required.

Allow 1 to 1½ hours per program scheduled.

Please arrange to have one chaperone for every eight children.

Indoor space is available for eating bag lunches if requested in advance.

The Museum Shop features many inexpensive items for children.

Please tell us when you reserve if you wish your group to visit the shop.

Contact Us:

Contact Jennifer Yakunovich for more information on any of the group education programs at the Millyard Museum at (603) 622-7531, or e-mail: history@manchesterhistoric.org

The Millyard Museum is located in Amoskeag Mill No. 3, 200 Bedford Street, at the corner of Pleasant and Commercial Streets. It is open to the general public (Note: This is a new schedule beginning January 1, 2007): Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Note: General Admission fees differ from Group Tour Program Fees.)

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Manchester Historic Association School Programs

Manchester Historic Association
School Programs