Educational Opportunities

We are pleased to announce that we will be updating our field trip programming for spring 2025.

Our new programs will allow educators the opportunity to focus on various topics of history and culture during their visit to Fort Hunter Mansion and Park.

Groups that have already reserved a date for 2025 may choose from our new or retiring education programs.

In addition to our new programming, we will be changing to an online registration platform which will streamline and expedite the booking process. Educators will be able to view a list of all available field trip dates, create their field trip agenda, and make payment online. This new site will launch in early January of 2025.

After completing the online registration form, a member of our education staff will reach out to confirm your booking and provide a link for you to submit your deposit.

Groups may select from the following programs to create their own unique Field Trip Agenda. Please note a minimum of 2 (two) 40-minute programs or 1 (one) 90-minute program must be selected to book a trip. No more 180 minutes total of programming may be selected per visit.

For education program inquiries, please contact fheducation@dauphincounty.gov

 

NEW OFFERINGS FOR 2025!
(All programs have a 40-minute run time unless noted as otherwise.)

Native American Programming:

The Story of the Susquehannock (2-6)
This program is an overview of Susquehannock life and covers topics such as family structure, housing, food acquisition, daily life, history, and the extermination of the Susquehannock people.

Native Plants and Uses (K-12)
This program explores foods native to the Susquehanna region and how they were traditionally used by indigenous people.

Native American Games: (K-4)
Students will burn energy and develop hand-eye coordination through play during this interactive program.

 

Fort Hunter Mansion Programming:

Children’s Mansion Tour (K-2)
In this abbreviated visit to the mansion, little learners will help “Aunt Helen” complete a checklist to make sure everything is ready for her big party on Saturday night.

Student Mansion Tour: (2-7)
This abbreviated tour of the mansion includes several prominent rooms of the house as students learn about the families that called the mansion home.

Standard Mansion Tour: (7-12)
Our Standard Mansion Tour gives students an opportunity to learn the history of the families that called Fort Hunter home over the years and explore each room of the mansion.

Uncovering History: (2-6)
This program explores a range of historic artifacts and what they teach us. Students will use clues from each artifact to uncover pieces of life in Central PA during the 1800’s.

Victorian Era Games and Chores: (K-6)
Students will have the opportunity to pump water from the well, do laundry on a washboard, and once their chores are done, learn several games from the 1800’s.

Museum Shop (All ages)
For groups wishing to visit the Mansion Shop, please select “Museum Shop” as one of the 40-minute program time blocks. Extra activities will be provided by staff to fill the remainder of the 40-minute time block not used for shopping. Activities will be determined by staff based on visitor age and are subject to change.

Program Fees and Requirements

Additional Resources:
Educators, you may find our chaperone form helpful in communicating reminders to your chaperones.

CURRENT PROGRAMMING

Standard School Program (retiring program)

The Standard School Program is for students from grade 2 through grade 5. The program is available to groups of 15 or more by reservation only Tuesday through Friday, from April 1st through early June, and again beginning September 1st through mid-November from 10:00 am -2:00 pm. Our capacity is a maximum of 64 students per school program. Teachers and chaperones will be expected to help with some aspects of the workshop and museum tour activities. You will be sent a confirmation letter, a map, and parking directions. For easy scheduling, e-mail us at fheducation@dauphincounty.gov.

The Standard School Program is available April – early June and mid -September – mid-November and has three components: The Hands-on Native American workshop  The Tour of Fort Hunter Mansion         Visit to the Museum Shop.

 

Standard Program Fees

Itinerary

Hands-on Workshop: Native Americans along the Susquehanna

Your students will explore how Native Americans once lived in the Fort Hunter/Harrisburg area, focusing on how the Susquehannock obtained food, shelter, clothing and equipment. Activities include exploring a wigwam, hands on activities and games. Children will learn about the kinds of food and materials once used by Native Americans who farmed and hunted here in the 1300s and 1400s.

Please provide a teacher and at least one adult (free admission) to help with the workshop. Groups of over 32 children will be split-half will start with the workshop and half with the Mansion tour, and will switch after lunch. The Hands-on Workshop lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours, and addresses State Standards: 8.1.3A, 8.1.3.D, 8.2.3C, 8.2.3B, 1.6.3A, 1.6.3D, 1.6.3E.
Also 8.1.6A, 8.1.6B, 8.2.6A, 8.2.6B, 8.2.6C, 1.6.5A, 1.6.5.D, 1.6.5E

Tour of Fort Hunter Mansion

This historic house museum invites students to learn about Mansion life in the 1800s. Children will compare the owners’ life to Native Americans – how they obtained food, shelter, clothing and equipment in the Victorian era. On guided tours students will see original artifacts and furnishings—from a music box and cradle to an ice saw and toaster. The tour and visit to the Museum Shop last 1 ½ hours.

At the conclusion of the Mansion tour, children will visit the educationally oriented shop. Many of the items are historical reproductions; children enjoy finding a memory-making treasure, many of which are priced under $6.  Proceeds from Museum Shop sales fund educational programs at Fort Hunter.

Mansion Tour Only (retiring program)

Guided tours of this wonderful house museum offer students the opportunity to explore life as it was 100 years ago, as they view artifacts and ask questions. They will discover such wonders as meat grinders, chamber pots, rope beds, stereoscopes, foot warmers and many other aspects of a life long ago. The tour and a visit to the Museum Shop lasts between one and one-half hours.

The Mansion Tour Only is appropriate for grades 2 and up, and is available April through December during regular museum hours. Capacity is a maximum of 50 students per school program. You will be sent a confirmation letter, a map, and parking directions. Reservations are required.  For easy scheduling email us at fheducation@dauphincounty.gov.

  • Students: $5.00
  • ONE adult per student: Free
  • Each additional adult: Standard tour price
  • Groups must be a minimum of 15 people
  • Groups must pay a deposit to reserve date/time
  • Balance must be paid a minimum of 1 week prior to arrival at the park