Hanford Mills Museum’s on-site field trip programs are designed to be engaging, interactive and fun! All field trips (except Ice Harvesting) include a one-hour, guided tour of the mill with demonstrations of the waterwheel and woodworking machinery.
The cost of all on-site field trip programs is $4.00 per student and each program, including time for the mill tour, lasts between 90 and 120 minutes. Groups that visit Hanford Mills for a field trip are encouraged to bring lunches that they can eat in our covered pavilion.
If you are interested in booking a field trip at Hanford Mills Museum, please fill out our field trip form here: Hanford Mills Museum Field Trip Form.
Field Trip Programs:
The Mill and its Community: in this interactive program, students will learn about the importance of interdependence, the key aspects of neighborhood and community, and how communities change over time; includes a brief tour of the 1909 Hanford Farmhouse. Recommended for grades K-2
The Incredible Journey: students will follow the path of water molecules as they move through the water cycle, focusing specifically on the interaction between water in the surrounding environment and the mill site. Recommended for grades K-8
Exploring Industrial Technology: students will explore the transition of technology from hand power to machine power through a hands-on, simple machines activity involving belts and pulleys. Recommended for grades 3-8
From Bark to Box: students will explore the process of turning logs into finished wood products by taking a closer look at the mill’s machines and building a crate for their class to take with them. Recommended for grades 3-8
How Water Moves: students will explore how bodies of water, like rivers and streams, move within a watershed from source to collection and then explore the challenge of moving water from collection to use. This program is designed for groups of 25 students or more. Recommended for grades 3-8
Ice Harvesting (Jan-Feb only): students will learn about the science of ice, and understand why ice harvesting was important to farms, homes, and businesses in New York State during the 19th Century. Due to the unpredictability of winter weather, contact the Education Coordinator directly about the details of this program. Recommended for grades K-12
For more information about our school programs, contact Ryan Jones, Education Coordinator.