School Tours

Van Cortlandt House Museum is open for school tours year-round on Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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. Teachers 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 $5.00 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.

Please call to schedule your tour at least two weeks in advance It is recommended 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 number requirement for 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.