We utilize our Local History Resources to engage your students and enhance classroom learning. School programs incorporate visual literacy components and primary documents that support New York State learning standards for grades 2-8.
All of our programs can be presented here at the museum, and many of them can be brought to your classroom.
On-site: $5.00 per person; $50 minimum. Teachers, chaperones and required personnel are free.
At your location: $100 plus mileage if farther than 10 miles.
Programs
NOTE: Times are approximate and can be modified to suit your schedule constraints. Due to limited space at the museum, large groups may have to be divided; this may require extended time.
Check out our Online Resources to prepare for your visit or support classroom learning.
Looking for upcoming programs that are open to the public? Visit our Programs page.
Dig Into History (60 minutes)
Students will become junior archaeologists as they look for artifacts from the Willow Tree Estate Archaeological Site. Students will break into teams and be assigned a box that contains artifacts hidden in soil, they must use the tools and information provided to discover what life was like in the mid-1800s.
History Mysteries (90 minutes)
Students will break into teams and examine artifacts for clues about their purpose in the past. Classes will learn about antique household objects that they have likely never seen before. This is a fun, hands-on program.
Logs, Lumbermen & Lifestyle (90 minutes)
Step into history with our interactive escape-room style challenge! Working in teams, students solve puzzles and complete hands-on tasks to uncover the story of the Adirondack logging industry, exploring the rugged lives of lumbermen and the power of lumber barons who transformed the region.
The Feeder Canal (90 minutes)
Students learn about the importance of the Glens Falls Feeder Canal, the materials transported on it, and how the canal revolutionized local industry. Students will break into teams and design their own company canal boat. They will use their boats to race from Glens Falls to Fort Edward in a canal-themed game.
Museum Scavenger Hunt (60 minutes)
Students explore the Museum by searching for over 30 items throughout the historic DeLong house and galleries. A version for younger students (Grades 2-3) in which they search for “Zopher the Mouse”, the official mascot of the Chapman Museum, is also available. This activity provides students with an overview of all the exhibits the Museum displays in a fun and interactive way and is great for larger groups.
Unlocking Independence (90 minutes)
Step into history with an interactive escape room-style adventure! Working in teams, students solve puzzles and complete hands-on challenges as they explore the history around the Declaration of Independence and our region’s connection to the American Revolution.
Snowflake Bentley (60 minutes | Winter only)
Students explore the story of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the first person to photograph snowflakes, through Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s book Snowflake Bentley. Afterward, they create their own unique paper snowflakes while learning that no two are exactly alike.
Teachers at South Street School, 1904
Other Organizations
The above programs, along with a selection of lectures/presentations, are also available to bus groups, scout troops, civic organizations, homeschool groups, senior centers, and residential communities.
Lecture Topics:
“From Wilderness to Walkways: The Making of Glens Falls”
From the establishment of the Queensbury Patent in 1762 to becoming Hometown USA during World War II, Glens Falls has been home to some major events over the last two centuries. This talk will walk through some of the key people and industries that built this small city and left a lasting impact.
“Running the Hudson: Logging in the Adirondacks”
The logging industry took Glens Falls from a quiet town to a thriving city from the mid to late 1800s. This talk explores the various jobs for loggers, the local companies that were formed, the lumber barons who benefited, and how all of these pieces made Glens Falls the lumber capital of the world.
“Storytown USA to Six Flags Great Escape: 70 Years of Fun”
Beginning in 1954 as Storytown USA and evolving into The Great Escape, this local gem has woven itself into the fabric of countless childhoods over seven decades. Through a nostalgic lens, this talk explores the visionary founder behind the park’s inception, the evolution of its iconic attractions, and the enduring magic that has captivated generation after generation.
“Next Stop, Freedom: The Underground Railroad in the Adirondacks”
As slavery continued in many states in the early 1800s, a national effort to safely bring freedom seekers to Canada began. This talk explores the role the greater Glens Falls region played in this effort and the legacy of the local Underground Railroad.
“Sit & Stroll: Downtown Glens Falls”
In this seated version of our popular Downtown Glens Falls Walking Tour, the program explores the key events and influential figures that shaped the city, from the signing of the original land patent to its rise as one of New York’s most prosperous communities, highlighting local businesses, churches, landmarks, and more along the way.
“A Melon for Your Table: The Legacy of the Victorian Garden”
This talk explores the evolution of the Victorian garden and the lasting influence these designs have on the way we garden today. Learn how beauty, order, and productivity came together in 19th-century landscapes, and discover examples of notable local gardens once owned by prominent Glens Falls residents.
Lecture/Presentation Fees
At your location: $100 plus mileage if farther than 10 miles
Chapman Museum programs qualify for BOCES Arts in Education and Enrichment funding. We also accept school purchase orders, online payments, cash, personal checks and credit cards. PTOs and PTAs often sponsor class visits to the Chapman. Inquire about funding options at your school.
