Education Programs

Trent House School Programs

The educational objective of the Trent House School Programs is to provide students with a basic understanding of the differences between everyday life in the early eighteenth century and the lifestyles children are familiar with in today's world. This is achieved through discussion about the life and times of William Trent, his family, servants, and slaves, reinforced with participatory activities.

The William Trent House offers programs for school groups studying local and state history in grades 2 through 8. Programs often are particularly appropriate as part of the 4th grade social studies curriculum. Many teachers opt to combine a visit to the Trent House with visits to other local historic sites, including the Old Barracks, State House, and State Museum.

Our objective is to provide students with a basic understanding of life in the 18th century.

Our Colonial Kids program is particularly suitable for mixed-age after-school programs. Sandbox Archaeology is directed at elementary schools. Children and youth organizations can be scheduled at the Trent House or off-site. Weather permitting, students may eat their lunch on the grounds of the Trent House. Benches and tables are available in the gardens; reservations are required.

Colonial Kids for Schools offers themed programs for teachers to choose from, including school, clothing, toys and games, or African American history. Each program is designed to allow children the opportunity to experience history first hand through participatory activities, such as writing with a quill pen, making clay marbles, carding and spinning wool, beading or mask making. Visitors gather around a screen box for sifting dirt during one of the archaeological shovel test style digs. Carefully sifting through the dirt will allows even the smallest of artifacts to be found.

Sandbox Archaeology enables students in the elementary grades conduct a mini archaeological dig as they discuss the contribution archaeology plays in historic preservation. Each mini dig contains "guaranteed" finds. Sandbox Archaeology fits in well with math and science curricula, as students learn to measure and graph their findings. Group size is limited to 25 students per session and may be scheduled throughout the school year. This program was developed with funding from a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Department of State.

Tours

Students learn about the daily life of various members of the Trent Family as they enter the rooms used by the Trent household. Reproductions that students may handle are used to tell this story. Tours may be combined with any of our hands-on programs

To Schedule A Program

Programs at Trent House:

Payment due two weeks prior to reservation

Reservations are required call (609) 989-3027