Field Trip Experiences:
Early Childhood through Grade 12
The Wisconsin history you read about in text books becomes a vibrant learning experience full of activities for students and teachers to see and do when you visit the Manitowoc County Historical Society. You can barter with the storekeeper, feel the heat from the blacksmith’s forge, set up a Civil War camp, play games with the local pioneer children, and help with the farm chores.
Each of our tour experiences satisfy specific Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies and includes hands-on opportunities to interact with objects and artifacts at our living history museum. Subjects including social studies, language arts, math, and science are all incorporated into your visit. Students get the perfect mix of learning, adventure, and fun during their visit.
There are three ways to join us for a field trip experience:
Self-guided tour experience
General private field trip options where you pick the date and time
Themed field trips with a pre-set date and time allotments
Let us help make your field trip a day in history!
Classic Hands-on Field Trip Experiences:
Choose from a menu of targeted base field trip programs for a
private group experience. You pick the date of your experience. All experiences are timed and interpreter led with a 2 hour experience.
Click on the tour options below to learn more and register.
Early Childhood Play Trip (For preschool through Grade K)
Students will have the opportunity to explore and discover the fundamental concepts of history and the passage of time. Through objects and play, children will be able to compare and contrast utilizing multiple senses.
Pioneer Kids (Recommended for Grades 1 to 3)
What was it like for a child to grow up in a small Wisconsin town in 1900? Students learn the answer to this question as they meet an immigrant family, see traditional pioneer activities such blacksmithing or carding wool, and learn about businesses that were needed for a pioneer community to thrive.
We Came to Wisconsin (Recommended for Grade 4)
Immerse yourself in a 19th-century village and interact with the people, objects and routines of life in rural Wisconsin in 1872. You’ll be introduced to 4 immigrant families who have made their home in Pinecrest Village. Using reasoning and educated information, you will match each families’ pioneer trunk to the lives they hold. You'll learn new skills as you hear stories of how they came to Wisconsin.
Trades and Occupations (Recommended for Grades 5 to 12)
Meet tradespeople in Pinecrest Village and become their apprentice. Learn how they are adapting to new technology and power to expand their businesses. This tour focuses on 19th Century STEM!
Plows and Pulleys (Recommended for grade 4 and above)
Time is a resource to use wisely on a farm. Follow an early 1900s farm family through turning grains into food, tending to their fields, taking their milk to the cheese factory, and creating a meal for the family. See how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and history connect through pioneer power on the 19th century farm.
A Day at Shadyside School (any age or multi-age groups)
Experience the one-room school house with this tour experience. Interact with our school teacher to take part in lessons real lessons. Children will read from McGuffey’s Readers, complete math problems on slates, and participate in spelling bees.
If you finish your lessons promptly, there will be time for games! Grab your lunch pails and register!
Expand your General Tour Experience
Classic Tour Add-Ons:
Add-on a 1 hour experience for $3 per student with a private field trip experience. You can choose these additional experiences when you register for your base tour above.
Lesson at Shadyside School
Experience the one-room school house with this tour experience. Interact with our school teacher to take part in lessons real lessons. Children will read from McGuffey’s Readers, complete math problems on slates, and participate in spelling bees.
Historic Pastimes
Life for early settlers wasn’t only about hard work and chores - leisure time in the 19th century can teach us a lot about History! Take your turn in playing some games from the past. What games and toys did kids just like you take part in?
Step into the Stories of our Past with Adventures.
Themed Field Trips:
These programs are held at a specific date and time. Click on the themed tour options below to learn more and register.
Journey into the past with us:
Contact our Education Coordinator to create an experience that will meet the specific needs of your group!
We can create a custom tour experience for a school-wide visit or a unique and personal classroom experience.
Phone: (920) 684-4445