School tours & Programs
Summer camp Group tours & Programs
Birthday Parties
adventures in time history camp
School Tours & Programs
Van Cortlandt House Museum is open for school tours year-round on Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please call to schedule your tour at least two weeks in advance. It is recommend that you have at least two possible tour dates when calling to make a booking. School programs are taught by volunteer docents and per diem instructors which requires us to schedule tours in advance.
A 20 student minimum is required for booking school programs, there is no minimum school tours. Booking a school program requires a $50.00 non-refundable deposit due at Van Cortlandt House Museum no less than two weeks prior to the date of your scheduled program.
Picnicking is permitted on the grounds of Van Cortlandt House Museum with space available indoors during the winter months or in the event of inclement weather. Lunch will be scheduled at the conclusion of school programs whenever possible. There is also a Burger King restaurant across the street from Van Cortlandt Park.
Augustus' Gift Shop, the Van Cortlandt House Museum Shop is available at the teacher's request. Reasonably priced souvenirs such as post cards, pencils, rulers, quill pens, colonial-era games, and reproduction documents are available in Augustus' Gift Shop at the end of the school visit.
Van Cortlandt House Museum offers two types of school visits.
School Tours School tours consist of a 45 minute tour of Van Cortlandt House led by volunteer docents. These tours typically focus on the social history of Van Cortlandt House and a general history of the area. Teacher's may request a particular focus to fit the needs of their class incorporating special themes such as community, slavery, and recycling. The fee for a school tour is as suggested donation of $1.00 per student. Chaperones are admitted free of charge. Van Cortlandt House Museum can accommodate a maximum of 36 students per school tour booking. If you wish to bring more than one class or more than 36 students, we recommend that you book concurrent appointments at the Urban Forest Ecology Center through the Bronx Park Rangers. They can be reached at 718-548-0912 or 718-430-1832.
School Programs School programs are two hours in length and are taught by a per diem instructor. School programs focus on three themes: the life of a soldier during the Revolutionary War "The Compleat Soldier", the life of a child in the 18th century "Life in Lower Yonkers"; and 18th century Dutch decorative arts "Design a Delft Tile". In addition to these programs, we welcome specials requests and can tailor a program or tour to fit the special needs of the class incorporating different themes such as community, slavery, mathematics and recycling. The admission fee for each school program is listed in the descriptions below. School programs require a minimum of 20 students and a maximum of 36. Teachers with classes smaller than 20 students may book school programs by paying the fee for 20 students.
The Compleat Soldier- Length of program 2 hours. Fee: $3.00 per student, no charge for teachers and chaperones.
Using
a quill pen, students sign enlistment papers to join the British or Continental
Army - your choice. Upon enlisting the new soldiers receive their bounty in
a souvenir colonial New York three dollar note reproduced from the Van Cortlandt House Museum
collection. Students learn the basics of 18th century drill and marching,
and hold a brown bess
musket and sword. They also
see how the brown
bess flintlock musket works and watch it being fired (optional). Students discover how flint
and steel was used to start fires before the advent of matches and lighters.
Also included is an exploration of the role of women and children as camp followers.
The program incorporates a tour of historic Van Cortlandt House
which was was used by both General
George Washington and the British as temporary headquarters.
Outdoor activities may also be expanded depending on the season of your
visit.
Life
at Little Yonkers-
Program
Length 2 hours. Fee $3.00 per student, no charge for teachers and chaperones.
In this program
students learn first-hand about 18th century life on the Van Cortlandt's Lower
Yonkers wheat plantation. Program highlights include hands-on participation, a
tour of Van Cortlandt House, and interactive activities. During the course
of this 2 hour program, students haul
water, saw wood, write
with a quill pen, and other household chores.
Other typical activities are explored through illustrations depicting sewing, farm work,
spinning, preparing meals in the kitchen, and more.
Students also see how flint and steel were used to start fires.
These activities are then integrated into a tour of Van Cortlandt
House. Additional outdoor activities may be
included depending on the season of your visit.
To schedule a school tour or program.
To schedule a school tour or program, please call Van Cortlandt House Museum's Education Coordinator, Michael Grillo at 718-543-3513. School appointments fill up quickly so it is best if you have a first and second choice of dates ready when you make the call. Michael may also be contacted by e-mail at mailto: education_coordinator@vancortlandthouse.org.
Summer camp group tours & programs
The school tours and programs described above are available for summer camp groups, girl and boy scout troops, and other children's groups.
Please call to schedule your group tour at least two weeks in advance. It is recommend that you have at least two possible tour dates when calling to make a booking. Children's Group tours and programs are taught by volunteer docents and per diem instructors which requires us to schedule tours in advance.
A 20 child minimum is required for booking programs, there is no minimum for tours. Booking a program requires a $50.00 non-refundable deposit due at Van Cortlandt House Museum no less than two weeks prior to the date of your scheduled program.
Picnicking is permitted on the grounds of Van Cortlandt House Museum with space available indoors during the winter months or in the event of inclement weather. Lunch will be scheduled at the conclusion of the programs whenever possible. There is also a Burger King restaurant across the street from Van Cortlandt Park.
Augustus' Gift Shop, the Van Cortlandt House Museum Shop is available upon request. Reasonably priced souvenirs such as post cards, pencils, rulers, quill pens, colonial-era games, and reproduction documents are available in Augustus' Gift Shop at the end of the group visit.
Birthday Parties
Birthday parties with an 18th century theme are available for children ages 7 - 12 with a 10 guest minimum and 15 guest maximum. The fee for birthday parties is $15.00 per child and includes hands-on activities led by a costumed instructor, a craft project appropriate to the chosen theme and time for cake and presents.
There are several party themes from which to choose.
The Compleat Soldier where party-goers experience life in General George Washington's Army.
Colonial Capers for Kids featuring fun and games the 18th century way with lots of out-of-doors play. Great for birthday parties May through September.
Birthday Tea at the Manor House is perfect for little ladies who'll love to use our 18th century style tea-set while playing genteel party games.
The the birthday party fee does not include refreshments, birthday cake, or decorations. Van Cortlandt House Museum staff can assist with arrangements for other refreshments as well as birthday cake. For more information or a birthday party brochure please contact us at 718-543-3344 or mailto:queries@vancortlandthouse.org.
Adventures in Time Summer History Camp
Adventures in Time Photo Album
For
further information about any of the programs listed above, please contact:
Michael
J. Grillo
Education
Coordinator
Phone: 718-543-3513 Fax: 718-543-3315
mailto: education_coordinator@vancortlandthouse.org
Van
Cortlandt House Museum
Van Cortlandt Park
Broadway
at West 246th Street
Riverdale, New York 10471
718-543-3344
mailto:queries@vancortlandthouse.org