Fourth Grade Programming Time!

The education staff kicked off our 2013-2014 school year on October 16^th. Sherwood elementary visited the school and enjoyed our 4^th grade program, “America in the 19^th century.”  This program, like many of our school programs, is a station based, third person program that utilizes the wonderful facilities of the Gaston County Museum to illustrate a wide range of historic interests to the students.

The program is viewed through the eyes of a common visitor to the museum. As the children pass through the stations, they see the working environments of the hotel workers throughout the 19^th century. The workers illustrate many aspects of the nation during the Victorian era. By utilizing local places, names, and scenarios the era is easily illustrated to the children in an interactive, energetic format.

The stations we usually present during this program are an overview of the parlors and gathering room.  The children then travel upstairs to the third floor where four hotel rooms are interpreted. A short material culture talk and demonstration follows the rooms. Students then travel to the carriage house and experience 19^th century transportation first hand. The program concludes in the basement with a hands-on rich domestic station.

We look forward to a school year filled with visiting students. Soon we’ll take a look at some of our specialty holiday programming and special events that add to the educational experience.