In-person field trips to Van Cortlandt House Museum have been temporarily suspended. CONTACT US to learn more about virtual learning opportunities.
Growing Up in Little Yonkers
Yonkers? Wait a minute, I thought Van Cortlandt House Museum was in the Bronx? We are in The Bronx. Throughout the 18th century and late into the 19th century, however, the land upon which Van Cortlandt House stands was located on the southernmost tip of Westchester County in the town of Yonkers. The Van Cortlandt family’s plantation was known as Little Yonkers to differentiate it from the Van Cortlandt plantation in the northern Westchester County town of Croton. Not only was Frederick Van Cortlandt’s parcel of land smaller, hence the title “little”, the branch of the family that settled there was known as the Junior Branch.
When you arrive at Van Cortlandt House Museum for the program "Growing Up in Little Yonkers", your class will be greeted outdoors (weather permitting) for a brief introduction to the land surrounding the house to set the scene back in time to the 18th century. The class then participates in hands-on activities which connect your students to the actual daily routine of Colonial era children. The visit concludes with a guided tour of Van Cortlandt House using the collections and artifact reproductions to further explore the role of children in an 18th century household.
Van Cortlandt House Museum offers school field trips Monday through Friday from September through June. Field trips are designed to meet the New York State Education Department’s learning standards for the core social studies curriculum established for grades 1 – 4. What sets the school field trips to Van Cortlandt House apart from others? Your students will participate in reenactments and hands-on activities led by a professional Museum Educator in authentic 18th century clothing. We can also custom tailor your field trip to suit special needs or themes including day-long sessions.
School Field Trips can be booked according to your school’s schedule starting as early as 9:30 a.m. each day. Admission is $5.00 per student with teachers and chaperons admitted free of charge. Because our school field trips are popular, we recommend booking well ahead of time to ensure your choice of available dates.
School field trips can be book by emailing to: information@vchm.org
When you arrive at Van Cortlandt House Museum for the program "Growing Up in Little Yonkers", your class will be greeted outdoors (weather permitting) for a brief introduction to the land surrounding the house to set the scene back in time to the 18th century. The class then participates in hands-on activities which connect your students to the actual daily routine of Colonial era children. The visit concludes with a guided tour of Van Cortlandt House using the collections and artifact reproductions to further explore the role of children in an 18th century household.
Van Cortlandt House Museum offers school field trips Monday through Friday from September through June. Field trips are designed to meet the New York State Education Department’s learning standards for the core social studies curriculum established for grades 1 – 4. What sets the school field trips to Van Cortlandt House apart from others? Your students will participate in reenactments and hands-on activities led by a professional Museum Educator in authentic 18th century clothing. We can also custom tailor your field trip to suit special needs or themes including day-long sessions.
School Field Trips can be booked according to your school’s schedule starting as early as 9:30 a.m. each day. Admission is $5.00 per student with teachers and chaperons admitted free of charge. Because our school field trips are popular, we recommend booking well ahead of time to ensure your choice of available dates.
School field trips can be book by emailing to: information@vchm.org
Field Trip FAQ’S
How long do the programs run?
Field trips to Van Cortlandt House Museum run approximately 1 ½ hours depending on class size and how engaged students are in the presentation. The more well-prepared your students are, the more engaged they will be and the more questions they will ask.
Is there a place where my students can have lunch?
Your class is welcome to have lunch in the Herb Cellar/Classroom at Van Cortlandt House after their field trip is finished. During nice weather, your class is welcome to have lunch and play outside on the grounds of the Museum. Wherever your class eats their lunch, we ask that you do your part to help us keep our facility clean and ready for the next field trip by tidying up before you leave.
Do you have a gift shop?
Van Cortlandt House has a Museum Shop stocked with toys, games, books and educational resources inspired by 18th century life and culture. Sets of reproduction currency and coinage used in the Colonial era and equipment such as spy glasses and compasses are available for purchase. The shop also carries items such as pencils, postcards, popular Dover coloring books, and old-fashioned metal toy soldiers. We also sell cold beverages, packaged snacks, and hot coffee, tea, and chocolate.
How long do the programs run?
Field trips to Van Cortlandt House Museum run approximately 1 ½ hours depending on class size and how engaged students are in the presentation. The more well-prepared your students are, the more engaged they will be and the more questions they will ask.
Is there a place where my students can have lunch?
Your class is welcome to have lunch in the Herb Cellar/Classroom at Van Cortlandt House after their field trip is finished. During nice weather, your class is welcome to have lunch and play outside on the grounds of the Museum. Wherever your class eats their lunch, we ask that you do your part to help us keep our facility clean and ready for the next field trip by tidying up before you leave.
Do you have a gift shop?
Van Cortlandt House has a Museum Shop stocked with toys, games, books and educational resources inspired by 18th century life and culture. Sets of reproduction currency and coinage used in the Colonial era and equipment such as spy glasses and compasses are available for purchase. The shop also carries items such as pencils, postcards, popular Dover coloring books, and old-fashioned metal toy soldiers. We also sell cold beverages, packaged snacks, and hot coffee, tea, and chocolate.