School Program

Over 600 students and supervisors took part in a wide range of curriculum-based educational programs at the museum in 2010.

Every program includes a minimum of two hands-on components. Programs are flexible and can be tailored to meet specific needs.

Fees

Lets Have Lunch - $7.50 per person
All other programs $4.00 per child
No charge for child supervisors

For more information about the Hutchison House School Program, please call 705-743-9710, or call Toll Free 1-866-743-9710.

Program Options

• Let's Have Lunch

  Students will learn about the practice of medicine in the early 1800's. Each student will be given a profile of a pioneer that includes a sickness or injury. They will visit the doctor and have their illness diagnosed while learning about period illness and medicines. They will find out how the doctor was paid and write an IOU for his services with a quill pen. Students learn about herbal remedies and make a herb bundle to take home. Nutrition and health will be discussed, as students compare their diets and lifestyles to the lives and eating habits of pioneers.

  Grade 3
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Health, Science
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Sir Sandford Fleming

  Sandford Fleming came to Peterborough in 1845 and lived with his cousin Dr. John Hutchison. He went on to become a significant figure in the history of Canada, highly skilled in a multitude of areas including engineering, map making and sketching. He was also famous for his extensive work on the Canadian Pacific Railway and the invention of Standard Time Zones. A choice of two program options are offered. Students can can either research aspects of Fleming's life and put together a classroom exibit or they may learn about Fleming's life through writing, design and invention.

  Grades: 6 and 7
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Visual Arts, Language Arts, Science, History

• All aboard - The Expansion of Canada's West

  The difficult path of building a cross-country railroad will be explored through fun, insightful activities. Students will learn about the development of the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the colourful cast of characters, including Peterborough's own Sir Sandford Fleming, who were involved with the project. Also discussed will be the impact of the railroad on ordinary citizens and how the railroad changed their lives forever.

  Grade 8
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: History
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Dr. Hutchison's Medical Practice and Pioneer Health

  Students will learn about the practice of medicine in the early 1800's. Each student will be given a profile of a pioneer that includes a sickness or injury. They will visit the doctor and have their illness diagnosed while learning about period illness and medicines. They will find out how the doctor was paid and write an IOU for his services with quill pens. Students learn about herb remedies and make a herb bundle to take home. Nutrition and health will be discussed, as students compare their diets and lifestyles to the lives and eating habits of pioneers.

  Grade 3
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Health, Science
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Daily Life of Settlers

  The life of a 19th century child is fascinating to children of today. Discover this world in the 1837 home of Dr. John Hutchison, one of Peterborough's first resident physicians. Through a variety of activities, students will gain insight into such facets of daily life such as food and food preparation, medical practices, transportation systems, communications, clothing, tasks and responsibilities, pastimes and recreation. This program is offered year-round, however, activities may vary according to season.

  Grades K-8
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: History, Social Studies, Health
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• 19th Century Christmas

  Did you know that families such as the Hutchisons would not have had a Christmas tree? Students can learn how Christmas and the New Year were celebrated in early Victorian Peterborough by touring the traditionally decorated museum, cooking special Yuletide treats on the hearth, and making seasonal crafts. Similar programs for other holidays may be arranged.

  Grades: K-8
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: History, Social Studies, Visual Arts
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Community Life

  Students will explore the community that surrounded Hutchison House in the mid-1800's by taking an outdoor walking tour. They will learn about Peterborough's history and personalities, industry and business, religion, architecture and transportation by seeing actual heritage buildings and sites. Early maps of Peterborough will help students discover how the community has changed over the years. This tour is offered year round, but weather appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn.

  Grades: 3-8
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: History, Social Studies, Geography, Science

• Language, Reading and Writing

  Students of today will experience student life of yesterday. They will tour Hutchison House and participate in language, reading and writing activities. Students will discover that people in the past spoke differently than us, what they wrote about in their diaries and letters, what they wrote with and the fascinating stories they told.

  Grade 4
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Language, Health and Physical Education
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Roles and Responsibilities

  Kids will always be kids! Learn through hands-on activities how children in nineteenth century homes were expected to behave, what rules and responsibilities were expected of them, and what has changed. Did girls always cook and do laundry? Was it always a boys job to bring in fire wood or empty chamber pots? Through a combination of action and instruction, children will learn what it was like to be young a long time ago and have fun at the same time.

  Grade 1
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Language
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Scottish Traditions

  Students will learn about Scottish Traditions through four areas of focus, clothing (tartans and what they represent), food (shortbread etc.), celebrations (Hogmanay) and culture (Highland Games, etc.). This program can be modified to include traditions of people from other cultures who lived in the Peterborough area when the Hutchison's did.

  Grade 2
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Social Studies, Language
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Down to the Letter

  What would you do if you couldn't call friends and family on the telephone, or send them an email? How could you hold on to your special memories without photographs or home movies? Students will experience how people communicated over 150 years ago. They will find out how Sir Sandford Fleming sent a message to his family from the Atlantic Ocean. They will also create a personal notebook to collect stories and botanical specimens.

  Grade 3
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Drama, Oral Communication, Social Studies, Science
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Spectacular Silhouettes

  Can you imagine a world without photographs? Take a creative leap back in time and discover the ancient technique of silhouette making. For hundreds of years, before photographs and digital technology made taking a person's picture easy, artists used light and shadow to trace a person's profile, to capture their appearance on paper.

  Grade 4
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: Visual Arts
  Program Length: 2 Hours

• Scottish Halloween

  Did you know people used to carve turnips at Halloween to help guide the dead and protect their homes? Students will learn the old Scottish traditions and superstitions surrounding the celebration of Halloween. Students will take a "spooky" tour of the museum, learn about the harvest and create shrunken heads and play traditional divination games.

  Grade K-8
  Cost: $4.00 per person
  Curriculum Links: History, Social Studies, Visual Arts
  Program Length: 2 Hours