Programs
Online brochures for educators are available for download:
Kindergarten - Sixth GradeSeventh Grade - Twelfth Grade
Not Just for Social Studies Anymore!
Fenton History Center welcomes bus tours and provides guided tours by appointment. Walk-in visitors are welcome to tour the museum with a guide booklet. Educational Programs on a variety of topics for schools, "home schoolers" and interested groups are available through the Education Department.
Fenton History Center Educational Programs are an excellent way to enrich English, world Cultures, Home and Careers, History, Art courses, and many more. Fenton History Center Educational Programs utilize local artifacts, documents and photographs to promote the student's understanding of the concepts presented by our Museum Educators. When possible, the programs employ interactive, multi-sensory activities to enrich the student's experience.
Moving Museum icon
While it is preferable for students to visit the Fenton Mansion, time and budget constraints do not always allow classes to visit in person. The Moving Museum brings the Fenton's Educational Programming into the classroom via a Museum Educator. These programs are supplemented with photographs, documents, artifacts and interactive experiences. Programs available in the classroom are indicated with a Moving Museum icon.
For information about scheduling a guided tour, program or school program,
contact the Education Director, Sara Reale:
phone 716-664-6256
email
Meets NYS Social Studies curriculum requirements for local history in the Fourth Grade Standards 1, 3, 4
Concepts/themes - change, culture, places and regions, environment and society, identity, citizenship and civic life, human systems
Grade 4
6 units of instruction
1 & 1 1/2 hour sessions over a two week period
In school and at Museum
Not available month of December
Fee - $300.00 per class
The environment and time in which a person lives shapes their daily life, experiences, tastes, habits and chores. Daily life and experiences are also shaped by gender, culture, race and socioeconomic background. By exploring the lives and stories of diverse individuals from Jamestown's past, students make vivid comparisons to their own lives. The Local Lore Comes Alive program incorporates interactive demonstrations, theatrical performances, reproduction costumes, historical characters, video and role-playing activities. The students will "become" a real person from Jamestown's past and will receive facsimiles of primary documents, a biographical sketch and a photograph of that person. The program also includes visits to the museum for The Age of Homespun and Victorian Sampler tours. As the culminating activity, students will wear reproduction clothing and perform skits depicting life in early Jamestown.
Standards - 1, 3, 4
1.5 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - places and regions, change, environment and society
90 minutes
At Museum
Fee - $75 per class
The Homespun-era provides an in-depth study of a self-sufficient economy in a time before Jamestown had electricity, refrigeration and supermarkets. Students tour the Farmer’s Workshop, Kitchen, and Spinning/Weaving exhibits at the museum. Farming implements, cooking utensils, carpentry tools, and washing and ironing tools are highlighted. The artifacts and exhibits provide a visual and tactile supplement to classroom discussion.
Standards - 1, 3
1.5 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - identity, culture, change
90 minutes
At Museum
Fee - $75.00 per class
The Victorian Era was a time of growth and change in Jamestown. Factories opened, people moved into the city to be closer to jobs and businesses, and many large, fancy homes were built. These concepts are introduced by Museum Educators through a tour of the Fenton Mansion's Victorian-era period rooms, including the Renaissance Revival Drawing Room,, the Family Parlor and Nanny's Room exhibit. The elaborateness of the period is demonstrated through the study of artifacts such as clothing, furnishings and decorative arts.
Standards - 1
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - culture, interdependence, change
45 minutes - 1 hour
In School or at Museum
Fee - $50 per class
Children of today enjoy a full and hectic life. They go to school, play sports, watch television, and chat on the computer. They even do some chores, such as mowing the lawn or emptying the dishwasher. Children of the 19th century never knew the convenience of a dishwasher or power mower. Communication was either through letter writing or face-to-face conversation. How did they survive?!?!? Students will be introduced to the role of the "Nanny" in child-raising and will be encouraged to make comparisons to the toys, clothes, kitchen utensils, and chores of today. Once the "culture shock" has worn off, students will examine many Fenton educational artifacts from the child's world of the 19th century.
Standards 1, 3, 4
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - culture, environment and society
1 hour
In School or at Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
Like any place on earth, the natural features of the landscape shape how and why people settle in a particular location, how they structure their communities, and how those communities evolve over time From prehistoric times through to the present day, chautauqua Lake has been a consistent force in shaping this area, its residents, and its history. This program focuses on the "Golden Age of Chautauqua" 1875 -1910. Slices photographs and artifacts are employed to explore steamboat and trolley travel along the shoreline. Tourist and cultural attractions, such as Celoron Amusement Park and Chautauqua Institution, are studied. Recreational and lake-oriented industries are highlighted.
Standards - 1, 3, 4
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, culture, places & regions
1 hour
At Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The history of chautauqua County tells a story that is specific to Western New York, but also speaks to the history of the entire country. Over the centuries, changes in the area and its people reflect the lives and stories of Native Americans, English settlers, and immigrants. From the county's early days of farming, to the development of a vibrant trade economy, Chautauqua County is emblematic of broader economic changes that swept through North America. A guided tour of the Fenton Mansion will acquaint students with much of Chautauqua County history from the beginning of the 19th century through the 20th century.
Standards - 1
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, critical thinking skills
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School
Fee - $50.00 per class
The objects we use everyday are often taken for granted - a toothbrush, a serving dish, and the electric lights in our homes. We rely on these objects but seldom can we imagine where they first originated, or what life would be like without them. The Fenton History Center's collection is rich in decorative and utilitarian objects that can be used to tell a story about life in another period of time. By exploring this material culture students are encouraged to compare the past to the present, and think critically about how we use, make and appreciate material culture today. By dealing directly with primary sources, students engage in asking questions, thinking critically, making intelligent inferences, and developing reasoned explanations and interpretations of events in the past and present.
Standards - 1
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - culture, change, critical thinking skills
1 hour
In school or at Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
This program is designed to teach the student to "read" period photographs for historical information. Because visual documents capture moments in time, they can provide evidence of changes over time. Visual documents include evidence about a culture at specific moments in history: it's customs, preferences, styles, special occasions, work and play. By studying a photograph, the student will make both observable and inferential observations about its content. A Museum Educator will guide the examination using the inquiry process. Photographs from the Fenton collection offer a compelling visual representation of Jamestown's past.
Standards 1,3
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - identity, culture, change
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School or at Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The environment and time in which a person lives shapes their daily routine, tastes, habits, and interests. These experiences are also shaped by gender, race and socioeconomic status. By exploring the Victorian-era woman and her role in society, students will be encouraged to make comparisons with current conditions. Artifacts, including clothing and accessories, will enrich the student's understanding.
Standards - 1, 3
1.5 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - culture, change, technology
Museum and walking tour (weather permitting)
Fee - $75.00 per class
Buildings surround us almost everywhere we look, and visually inform our understanding of what it means to be living in Jamestown. We pass these buildings every day, but often without knowledge of how and why they were constructed. Slides and a walking tour of the south side neighborhood offer students a sense of how our built environment is a reflection of the practical, creative, and material influences of the 19th century.
Available Thanksgiving through January 6th
Standards 1, 2, 5
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - identity, culture, interdependence, change, citizenship & civic life
1 hour
At Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The "Holiday Season" is more than Santa Claus and Christmas trees. A variety of historical and ethnic customs are celebrated around the world, from Hanukkah and Kwanzaa observances, to Swedish and Italian customs, and many more. Great effort is taken to accurately present this special time of year for all. Students will not only enjoy learning about the origins of their own holiday traditions, but will also be fascinated by the customs of people from around the world.
40 minutes - 2 hours
In School or at Museum
Fee - $200.00 per class
Don't see what you need? Give us a call, 664-6256. Our Education Staff will work with you to plan a program customized to meet the specific needs of your students, from a single class to a large school assembly.
Programs are available
during the school year, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Teachers are requested to schedule programs at least two weeks in
advance.
Programs are conducted by trained Fenton Museum Educators.
One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students.
Discipline of the group is the responsibility of the teacher and/or
chaperone.
All programs are subject to change.
(Supplement to American Civil War 7th and 8th Grade NYS Social Studies Curriculum Requirements)
Standards - 1, 3, 4, 5
6 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - government, diversity, decision making, factors of production, needs and wants, technology, physical systems
Series of 6 sessions/class periods ( 3 block sets )
In School
Fee - $300.00 per class
Students will receive an in-depth view of Jamestown and Chautauqua County’s involvement while the "War Between the States" was being waged. Events of the Civil War such as the Underground Railroad System and local war rallies are highlighted. Students will be surprised to learn that Chautauqua County had its very own training camp for soldiers in Jamestown, training over 1,100 men for battle (112th Regiment). Students will examine facsimiles of primary documents, biographical sketches, and photographs of citizens who contributed to the war effort. Slides and the use of reproduction artifacts provide a visual and tactile supplement to classroom discussion.
Standards - 1, 2, 3, 5
2 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, geography, critical thinking, diversity, environment and society
2 sessions/class periods ( 1 block set)
In School
Fee - $100.00 per class
"Why would you need a louse comb?!" "How did women engage in conversation without uttering a word?" This program, focusing on the examination of artifacts, is designed to provide students a "hands on" look at life during the Civil War through artifacts specifically designated for use in Fenton educational programs, including a Union soldiers uniform and accessories, primary documents, and women's apparel.
Standards - 1, 3
Concepts/themes - environment and society, change, government, citizenship
2 sessions/class periods ( 1 block set)
In School
Fee - $100.00 per class
Camp Brown was the Civil War training camp for Chautauqua County's 112th Regiment and Cattaraugus County's 154th Regiment. Over 1,100 men were trained and sent off to battle from the hills on the south side of Jamestown. Follow these significant local regiments through their days of training, fighting, and camp life. Artifacts offered.
Standards - 1, 2, 3
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - economics, change, geography, diversity
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School
Fee - $50.00 per class
The Civil War was the bloodiest war ever fought on American soil. Many lives were lost, heroes made, and battles recorded for posterity. But what about life on the home front? In the absence of husbands, fathers, brothers and sons, families were left to cope with issues large and small, from the operations of farms and businesses, to the strain put on personal relationships by separation. Oftentimes soldiers were powerless to provide any assistance other than to urge their loved ones to "..so just as you think best..." Students will learn how the Civil War affected those who were left behind in rural Chautauqua County.
Standards - 1, 2, 3
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, government, diversity, environment and society, technology, citizenship
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School
Fee - $50.00 per class
Chautauqua County boasted a number of unique and influential personalities during the Civil War, among them Governor Reuben E. Fenton ("The Soldier's Friend") and Eber Petit, ardent abolitionist and participant in the Underground Railroad system. By examining biographical sketches, photographs, and primary source documents, students will learn about the key figures in Chautauqua County during the worst war ever fought on American soil.
Standards - 1, 2, 3
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, geography, political systems, diversity, government
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School
Fee - $50.00 per class
Chautauqua County represented the end of a long and treacherous journey for many fugitive slaves, as well as the promise of a life of freedom. Students will learn about the significant role our area played in the Underground Railroad system by studying the lives of local citizens who risked fines, punishment and imprisonment to assist "runaway slaves" in reaching the Lake Erie shoreline. Maps and artifacts will be used to trace the secret routes used and learn about the methods employed to avoid detection.
Standards - 1,2,3
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, diversity, technology, citizenship, environment and society, geography, economics, factors of production
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School
Fee - $50.00 per class
Students will view the Civil War from a perspective they have probably never considered before. Through a slide presentation students will see their "turf" as it existed during the Civil War, complete with landscape, industry and key local figures. Open discussion is encouraged.
Available Thanksgiving through January 6th
Standards 1, 2, 5
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - identity, culture, interdependence, change, citizenship and civic life
1 hour
At Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The "Holiday Season" is more than Santa Claus and Christmas trees. A variety of historical and ethnic customs are celebrated around the world, from Hanukkah and Kwanzaa observances, to Swedish and Italian customs, and many more. Great effort is taken to accurately present this special time of year for all. Students will not only enjoy learning about the origins of their own holiday traditions, but will also be fascinated by the customs of people from around the world.
Standards - 1
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - culture, change, critical thinking skills
1 hour
In school or at Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
This program is designed to teach the student to "read" period photographs for historical information. Because visual documents capture moments in time, they can provide evidence of changes over time. Visual documents include evidence about a culture at specific moments in history: it's customs, preferences, styles, special occasions, work and play. By studying a photograph, the student will make both observable and inferential observations about its content. A Museum Educator will guide the examination using the inquiry process. Photographs from the Fenton collection offer a compelling visual representation of Jamestown's past.
Standards - 1
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, critical thinking skills
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School
Fee - $50.00 per class
The objects we use everyday are often taken for granted - a toothbrush, a serving dish, and the electric lights in our homes. We rely on these objects but seldom can we imagine where they first originated, or what life would be like without them. The Fenton History Center's collection is rich in decorative and utilitarian objects that can be used to tell a story about life in another period of time. By exploring this material culture students are encouraged to compare the past to the present, and think critically about how we use, make and appreciate material culture today. By dealing directly with primary sources, students engage in asking questions, thinking critically, making intelligent inferences, and developing reasoned explanations and interpretations of events in the past and present.
Standards - 1, 3, 4
1.5 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - places and regions, change, environment and society
90 minutes
At Museum
Fee - $75 per class
The Homespun-era provides an in-depth study of a self-sufficient economy in a time before Jamestown had electricity, refrigeration and supermarkets. Students tour the Farmer’s Workshop, Kitchen, and Spinning/Weaving exhibits at the museum. Farming implements, cooking utensils, carpentry tools, and washing and ironing tools are highlighted. The artifacts and exhibits provide a visual and tactile supplement to classroom discussion.
Standards - 1, 3
1.5 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - identity, culture, change
90 minutes
At Museum
Fee - $75.00 per class
The Victorian Era was a time of growth and change in Jamestown. Factories opened, people moved into the city to be closer to jobs and businesses, and many large, fancy homes were built. These concepts are introduced by Museum Educators through a tour of the Fenton Mansion's Victorian-era period rooms, including the Renaissance Revival Drawing Room,, the Family Parlor and Nanny's Room exhibit. The elaborateness of the period is demonstrated through the study of artifacts such as clothing, furnishings and decorative arts.
Standards 1,3
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - identity, culture, change
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School or at Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The environment and time in which a person lives shapes their daily routine, tastes, habits, and interests. These experiences are also shaped by gender, race and socioeconomic status. By exploring the Victorian-era woman and her role in society, students will be encouraged to make comparisons with current conditions. Artifacts, including clothing and accessories, will enrich the student's understanding.
Standards - 1, 3
1.5 units of instruction
Concepts/themes - culture, change, technology
Museum and walking tour (weather permitting)
Fee - $75.00 per class
Buildings surround us almost everywhere we look, and visually inform our understanding of what it means to be living in Jamestown. We pass these buildings every day, but often without knowledge of how and why they were constructed. Slides and a walking tour of the south side neighborhood offer students a sense of how our built environment is a reflection of the practical, creative, and material influences of the 19th century.
Standards -1
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - identity, change, culture
1 class period / 40 minutes
In School or at Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The Victorian-era was a time when ladies and gentlemen followed a strict social protocol that dictated everything from who they should marry to the proper way to refuse soup at a formal dinner. The elaborate guidelines were a reflection of the times. Students will learn the social importance of "taking tea," and the "proper" procedures, foods, and utensils that were an essential part of the Victorian experience. An excellent supplement to a Home and Careers class.
AROUND
CHAUTAUQUA LAKEStandards 1, 3, 4
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - culture, environment and society
1 hour
In School or at Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
Like any place on earth, the natural features of the landscape shape how and why people settle in a particular location, how they structure their communities, and how those communities evolve over time. From prehistoric times through to the present day, chautauqua Lake has been a consistent force in shaping this area, its residents, and its history. This program focuses on the "Golden Age of Chautauqua" 1875 -1910. Slices photographs and artifacts are employed to explore steamboat and trolley travel along the shoreline. Tourist and cultural attractions, such as Celoron Amusement Park and Chautauqua Institution, are studied. Recreational and lake-oriented industries are highlighted.
Standards - 1, 3, 4
1 unit of instruction
Concepts/themes - change, culture, places & regions
1 hour
At Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The history of chautauqua County tells a story that is specific to Western New York, but also speaks to the history of the entire country. Over the centuries, changes in the area and its people reflect the lives and stories of Native Americans, English settlers, and immigrants. From the county's early days of farming, to the development of a vibrant trade economy, Chautauqua County is emblematic of broader economic changes that swept through North America. A guided tour of the Fenton Mansion will acquaint students with much of Chautauqua County history from the beginning of the 19th century through the 20th century.
40 minutes - 2 hours
In School or at Museum
Fee - $200.00 per class
Don't see what you need? Give us a call, 664-6256. Our Education Staff will work with you to plan a program customized to meet the specific needs of your students, from a single class to a large school assembly.
Programs are available
during the school year, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Teachers must schedule programs at least two weeks in advance.
Programs are conducted by trained Museum teachers.
One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students.
Discipline of the group is the responsibility of the teacher and/or
chaperone.
A minimal addition fee is required for programs presented outside
a 15 mile radius of the museum.
All programs are subject to change.
1 hour
Museum
Fee - $50.00 per group
Participants take a guided tour of the mansion and get acquainted with much of Chautauqua County history form the beginning of the 19th century to the end of the 20th century. Participants are encouraged to share their past experiences with the guide and group.
1 1/2 hours
Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
This program provides an extensive view a self-sufficient economy. Participants tour of the farmer’s workshop, kitchen, and spinning and weaving exhibits. They have the opportunity to examine artifacts from long ago. Slides highlight typical 19th century occupations.
1 hours
Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
The Victorian Era was a time of richness, both in ideas and in artifacts. Special care is taken to show the students the elaborateness of the period by a tour of the Victorian rooms, and by touching objects specifically designated for Fenton educational use. Participants are given American history background and local lore background as they view the historical effects of the Industrial Age.
1 HOUR
Museum
Available Thanksgiving thru January 6th
Fee - $50.00
This program focuses on numerous displays throughout the house highlighting historical and ethnic customs celebrated around the world during the "holiday season". Participants become acquainted with the customs and history of various celebrations, such as Swedish and Italian holiday customs.
1 hour
Museum
Fee - $50.00 per class
Meet one of Jamestown’s most famous families, the Fentons (1819 - 1928). Participants will learn about New York’s Civil War-era governor and his family, while also discovering the Victorian Age in Jamestown and the Fenton's many contributions to this age. Photographs, artifacts and personal letters also be presented.
1 hour
Museum or off site
Fee - $50.00 per class
This program focuses on the Victorian woman and her place in a Victorian society. Her sphere of influence along with her manner of dress (highlighted by a sampling of Museum clothing and artifacts) add to our knowledge of the Victorian lady.
1 hour
Museum or off site
Fee - $50.00 per class
This program focuses on the "necessary dining etiquette" of the Victorian family. The social importance of "taking tea" and proper tea time procedures, foods, and unique serving utensils add to a glimpse of a Victorian dining experience. An excellent supplement to a Home Economics program.
1 hour
Museum
Fee - $50.00
The "Golden Age of Chautauqua" 1875 -1910, is illustrated by photos and artifacts which depict steamboat and trolley travel along the shoreline, with added attractions of Celoron Park and Chautauqua Institution displayed. Recreation and Chautauqua Lake industries are given special treatment. Slides accompany the tour.
1 1/2 hours
Museum and walking tour (weather permitting)
Fee - $50.00
Participants become acquainted with various architectural styles of the 19th century via means of a discovery walking tour of Jamestown’s southside. The elaborate architectural details of the Victorian era come to light by the viewing of old homes. Fenton Mansion architecture is also highlighted.
Most programs are available all year,
and times are very flexible.
Groups must schedule programs at least two weeks in advance.
Programs are conducted by trained Museum teachers.
One adult chaperone is required for every child under the age of 15.
Discipline of the group is the responsibility of the parent and/or
group leader.
All programs are subject
to change.
Meeting place for up to thirty people available
A minimal addition fee is required for
programs outside a fifteen-mile radius from the Fenton Museum.
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 Fenton History Center 67 Washington Street Jamestown, New York 14701 Telephone (716) 664-6256 © 2013 All rights reserved. This site was last updated June 12, 2013. Fenton History Center is not associated with Fenton Art Glass site designed and maintained by earth spark |