OUTREACH PROGRAMS:
Each year from January through March, the Plantation’s “interpreters” take colonial life programs “on the road.” Outreach is available to both children and adults. In some instances we can even customize our program to fit your needs. Since 1974 the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation has offered programs related to 18th century Pennsylvania farm life to the public through its special events and living history weekend activities. It has also been recognized as a leader in the development of hands-on programs for students of all ages. On-site programs, which run April through mid-November, allow visitors, from preschoolers to senior citizens, to see, hear, smell, and touch the world of the colonial farm family. Although being at the farmstead with its historic building and period animals is the best way to learn about 18th century colonial Pennsylvania, a trip to the Plantation may not be possible for everyone.

If you can not come to us this year, we will be happy to bring the 18th century to you and your group. Outreach programs are available January through March. For more information, or to schedule an OUTREACH program, please call the office at 610-566-1725.

Select One of our Outreach Programs:

 
OUTREACH FOR PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN:

Preschool and Kindergarten OUTREACH Programs
These OUTREACH programs were specifically created for 3 to 5 year olds. Each 40 minute program introduces children to the 18th century child through song, story telling and hands-on projects.

Bread and Butter
Colonial children worked together to make life easier and to get their chores done. This presentation tells the story of the "little red hen" and working together. Samples of wheat, flour and bread are experienced through texture, smell and taste. A song about working together is sung while the children make butter.

Buckle My Shoe
Learn about colonial children at play through songs, games and toys. 18th century toys such as noisemakers, Jacob ladders, ball & cup, and dolls will be available for play time. Games may include "Duck, Duck, Goose", "In and Out of the Window", "Cobbler, Cobbler, Mend My Shoe" and other games if time permits.

Baa Baa Black Sheep
It took time and skill to make clothing in the 18th century. Colonial clothing is explained through songs, and the spinning and carding of wool along with a demonstration of the clothing worn by a colonial child. Children can feel and smell natural wool and look at examples of naturally dyed handspun yarn. They will also make and color colonial paper dolls.

Cost: $50 per 40 minute program for 25 students.

Our Plantation Store stocks a Colonial Activity Book and several colonial toys. When you call to book your OUTREACH program ask about availability and pricing.

If your are interested in on-site programs, they are offered April to mid November. Call our office and request an Educational Opportunities brochure for a listing and program description.

Download Preschool Outreach Brochure

Back to Top

GENERAL OUTREACH:

Colonial Life Series
Programs in this series are presented in a lecture/demonstration format.

A Day in the Life of a Child. The life of colonial children was very different from the lives of children today. Chores were an integral part of every day's activities from getting up in the grey dawn in order to empty chamber pots to milking cows before bedtime. Children's days were full. Did they ever play?

Our program explores recreation through the demonstration of 18th century toys, games and songs.

Lucy's Pocket
Particularly good for older children, this program explores the clothing of the colonial family. The processes involved in creating clothing from scratch will discussed in depth, whether that process goes from sheep to shawl or from plant to petticoat. Examples of colors produced from natural dyes will be shown and the processes to achieve those dyes revealed. Sample clothing will also be displayed with a demonstration of the proper sequence in which it was worn.

Colonial Plantation Slides
A tour of the Plantation is presented through lecture and slides.

Cost for the Colonial Life Series is $75 for each 40 minute program. Each additional presentation is $75. The Colonial Life Series is available January through March.

HANDS-ON PROGRAMS:
Hands-on Colonial Day. Our Hands-on Colonial Day brings the experience of living in the 18th century into the hands of the students. Hands-on programs can be adapted for more than one classroom at a time. This is an ideal way to offer hands-on programs to large groups.

Craft choices:
Stencil, Spinning, Toys & Games, School Lessons, Corn Husk Figures.

Fragments of the Past
In this hands-on archaeology program, students learn to analyze artifacts in order to understand what they reveal about those who lived before us. Students classify and date artifacts using household inventories and primary documents.

Scout Programs
In a 40 minute program, scouts may listen to a lecture, watch a demonstration or participate in a colonial craft. Some badges can be adapted to fit into 18th century activities such as Art to Wear, Folk Art and Popular Art.

Program Costs:
One Program $75
Two Programs $150
Three Programs $225
Four Programs $300

OUTREACH FOR ADULTS:
Outreach for Adults is available January through March. You must schedule your program through the Plantation office which is open year round, Monday through Friday. Because our programs are popular and offered only during a limited time of the year, we suggest you make arrangements four to six weeks in advance.

Hands-on Programs
Hands-on Programs are 90 minutes.

Choose One:
Carding and Spinning
Early American Toys
Corn Husk Figures

Cost: $150
Maximum number of participants: 25

Lecture Programs
Lecture programs are 40 minutes.

Choose One:
Colonial Cooking
Colonial Clothing
American Past Times
Colonial Plantation Slides

Cost: $75
Maximum number of participants: 25

Custom Programming
We can sometimes customize a program to fit your needs. For instance, if you have a small group and would like to have a Colonial Life Series as a hands-on experience, we may be able to accommodate you request. However, the prices quoted in this brochure may be adjusted to reflect customization.

All Outreach programs must be scheduled through our office which is open year round, Monday through Friday. Because of the popularity of our programs, we suggest you make arrangements four to six weeks in advance.

If you are interested in on-site programs, they are offered April to mid November. Call our office and request an Educational Opportunities brochure for a listing and program description. You may also visit our website for programming information.

Download General Outreach Brochure

Back to Top

The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation is a private non-profit educational corporation operated under lease agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and National Resources.