School Programs 

Planning Your Program

Let our Education staff help you plan your program. All groups must have a reservation; please schedule your programs as early as possible. Ask for the Department of Public Programs, 610.692.4800 ext. 235, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. You can also send us a message by clicking on the “More information” envelope above.

We Need to Know

• Preferred date and time (with two alternatives)
• Program title
• Name of teacher(s) accompanying class
• School address, phone number and contact
• Grade level, subject area, class size
• Information about students with special needs

Arrival and Accessibility

Please arrive ON TIME for your visit; groups more than 15 minutes late may experience a shortened program. Buses may unload directly in front of the History Center on High Street. Cars may park at on-street metered parking or in the garage on Chestnut Street. We are wheelchair accessible, with a ramp for front door access and elevators in the building. Please call in advance for other specific needs. Students should not bring backpacks, headphones/audio devices or other unnecessary items into the building.

Fees

• Museum Visits - $4.00 per student. Includes all activities and supplies.
• Classroom Outreach - $4.00 per student. A single program can be repeated up to four times a day. There is a 14 student minimum for Classroom Outreach programs. Please Note: schools outside Chester County are assessed at $20 fuel fee.
• Traveling Trunks - $30.00 loan fee per trunk. Note: two-week loan period. Payment is due at the time of pick-up.
• Teacher Visits - Teachers arranging museum or classroom programs are invited to visit the Museum free of charge to plan their visit or lesson. Call for appointments.
• Fees are due at the time of the program and may be paid in cash, institutional check or credit card.

Lunch at the Historical Society

With prior arrangement, your class may eat at the Historical Society, inside or on the grounds. There are also several municipal parks within walking distance.

Photographs

During your visit, photographs may be taken of your group as it participates in activities. These photographs may be used by the Historical Society to promote or document our programs and activities.  

Program Formats 

History Day

More Information

Museum Visits

Students will learn about Chester County history through exhibits and activities while enjoying time at the Museum. Each lesson includes direct experience with material objects. Programs last 1-2 hours; more than one program may be scheduled, depending on space and availability. Cost is $4 per student PER activity. Chaperones/teachers have free admission (1 free chaperone for every 10 students). Groups may also visit other galleries and the museum shop at no additional cost.
More Information

Traveling Trunks

Teachers may borrow traveling trunks for a two-week period at a cost of $30 per trunk. Trunks include authentic artifacts along with photographs and lesson plans. Trunks are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so please call early to reserve the trunk at the best time for your lesson planning.
More Information

Classroom Outreach

Our educators come into your classroom for presentations at your school. Programs last approximately one hour; the cost is $4 per student and the same program can be offered up to three times in one day (and/or in a series of two days) to accommodate an entire grade level. Please note that we require a minimum of 14 students for outreach and may charge a fuel fee for programs outside of Chester County.
More Information

Teacher Services

CCHS is pleased to offer in-service opportunities for teachers of all subjects and grade levels. Teachers meet with museum educators or curators to learn about the Society’s rich teaching resources, a permanent or temporary exhibit or museum teaching methodologies. To arrange for an in-service program, contact the Department of Education and Public Programs at 610-692-4800 ext. 203.

CCHS publications for educators: Chester County Biographies, Vols. I, II & III and a research workbook, Past, Present & Personal: A Guide for Doing Local History. Teacher price is $10 for each title, which includes permission to photocopy materials.

Acknowledgements

The Chester County Historical Society would like to thank DNB First, First National Bank, Fulton Bank, Penn Liberty Bank, Aqua Pennsylvania, and National Penn Bank for their very generous support of our educational programs through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, a program of the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development. These funds allow the Historical Society to create and staff our educational programs.

The Chester County Historical Society gratefuly acknowledges operating support from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commision and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.