Click HERE to complete our Field Trip Request Form.
John Jay Homestead State Historic Site invites you and your class to learn about the life of John Jay and to explore the exciting times in which he lived.
The Homestead offers a variety of program options that meet current curriculum standards. Each program provides students with a first-hand look at the changing nature of everyday life by comparing today’s lifestyles and concerns with those of Jay’s era. The programs encourage students to use the critical thinking skills of a historian or social scientist, asking them to read, analyze, apply, synthesize and evaluate historical information. All our programs meet common core standards in English, Language Arts and Literacy and in Reading History/Social Studies
Programs are designed to last 2 hours. This includes a tour of either the historic farm or historic house museum, plus an educational activity. All of our programs can be adapted for students with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Please make us aware of these special needs when you book your visit.
School Program Availability Calendar
Program Options
Then and Now
What was life like 200 years ago? Students will compare and contrast their everyday lives with the way the Jay family lived in the early 1800s. A tour of the historic house will focus on the lack of modern conveniences and its impact on everyday life. Choose one of three complementary educational activities: becoming an “artifact detective” by looking at objects such as chamber pots and open hearth toasters and using analytical skills to determine the objects’ purposes; playing colonial games and making a take-home cup and ball game; or making hand-dipped candles. In addition, students will discuss the differences between urban, suburban and rural locations.
Grade level: K–2
Standards: Social Studies 1, 5; English Language Arts 1, 3; Arts 3
Pre-visit preparation documents click here.
Life of a Child
What was it like to be a child in early America? What subjects would children have learned about in school? Did they have any chores or household responsibilities? What did kids do for fun? Students will take a historic house tour which focuses on the lives of the Jay children who lived at the Homestead, as well as the servant children who worked there. During a visit to our 1826 schoolhouse, students will experience a mini-lesson in either spelling or math, based on your classroom curriculum. Finally, students will have “recess” and play games that were popular in the 1800s. Optionally, students will participate in a craft activity where they will make a take-home cup and ball game. ***Please note that this program is only available May 1 through October 15.***
Grade level: 3–5
Standards: Social Studies 1, 5; English Language Arts 1,3,4; Arts 2; Math 1
John Jay’s Farm
This program uses the historic farm structures on the property as well as letters and maps to explore the evolution of agriculture and how technological advances affected the industry. All students will tour the historic farm, discuss building and land use, and learn about agriculture in New York. Younger students will use a series of maps to discuss the evolution of the farm from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Older students will examine historic documents to learn about the impact of changing modes of transportation and advances in technology on agricultural enterprise. During the winter, or in the event of inclement weather, students will take a historic house tour that focuses on the business of the farm. Optional post-visit classroom activities using maps and other documents are also available.
Grade level: 2–12
Standards: Social Studies 1, 3, 4; English Language Arts 1, 3, 4; Math, Science and Technology 4, 5
John Jay, Revolutionary Spymaster
Though widely celebrated for his political and diplomatic achievements, John Jay played an important role in creating a spy network to help defend the colonies during the Revolutionary War. Students will explore the historic house museum looking for secret spy messages while learning about the defenses protecting New York, the split loyalties of its inhabitants, different spying techniques, and historical anecdotes about important political figures. Students will participate in a ciphering activity and decode secret spy messages. An optional post-visit classroom ciphering activity is also available.
Grade level: 4–6
Standards: Social Studies 1, 2, 5; English Language Arts 1, 3, 4
Pre-visit preparation documents click here.
John Jay and the Constitution
What’s the difference between a president and a king? How much power should states have? What does the Constitution say about slavery? Moving through the historic house museum and using objects from our collection and documents from the Jay archives, students will learn how states with very different economies and interests, having just fought a long and expensive war against a king, agreed to come together and adopt a government with strong but clearly-defined powers. Please note that this program is intended for students who already have some working knowledge of the Constitution – it is not designed as an introduction to the subject. An optional post-visit classroom activity using additional documents is also available.
Grade level: 7–12
Standards: Social Studies 1, 2, 5; English Language Arts 1, 3, 4
Slaves, Slavery and the Jay Family
How is a servant different from a slave? What’s the difference between manumission and abolition? Why did many of the Founding Fathers continue to own slaves as they established a nation where “all men are created equal?” We provide an immersive, hands-on experience that will help your students answer these and other probing questions. While they tour the historic house museum and study primary sources, including objects and documents, your students will come to understand John Jay’s conflicting attitudes as slave owner and manumission advocate and learn about his son William’s role in the abolition movement. They will also learn about the lives of some of the slaves who lived at the Homestead. Please note that this program is intended for students who already have some working knowledge of the institution of American slavery – it is not designed as an introduction to the subject. An optional post-visit classroom activity using additional documents is also available.
Grade level: 6–12
Standards: Social Studies 1, 2, 5; English Language Arts 1, 3, 4
Holidays at Bedford House
Happy Holidays! Offered during the month of December only, students will explore the decorated Homestead with a guide, learn about the holiday traditions and foods of the Jay family, and take part in a holiday- themed, take-home, activity. Students can learn about the culture and life of Americans in the 1800s, compare their own experiences, and make connections to the past. Please note that we can only accept one classroom visit per day for this special program.
Grade level: K-5
Standards: Social Studies 1-5
Fees
All prices listed for on-site educational programs are a per student cost*. Materials fees may apply depending upon the activity you select.
Then and Now with Artifact Activity $3.00
–Substitute candle making activity – materials fee $1.00
–Substitute game making activity – materials fee $1.00
Life of a Child with School House Activity $3.00
–Substitute game making activity – materials fee $1.00
John Jay’s Farm $3.00
John Jay, Revolutionary Spymaster $3.00
John Jay and the Constitution $3.00
Slaves, Slavery and the Jay Family $3.00
Holidays at Bedford House $3.00
Outreach program (per class) $50.00
*We offer a discount of $1/student for visits during the months November, January, February, and March.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long is a typical visit?
All programs are designed to last 2 hours. This includes a tour of either the historic farm or historic house museum, and an educational activity.
How many students can you accommodate at one time?
We limit groups to 2 classes per visit. Our Holiday’s at Bedford House program can only accommodate 1 class per visit.
How many chaperones do you require/allow?
We strictly enforce the number of chaperones allowed on a visit for student safety and museum capacity limits.
Grades K-2: We require 3 adults per class. No more than 4 adults per class are allowed.
Grades 3-8: We require 2 adults per class. No more than 3 adults per class are allowed.
High School: We suggest 2 adults per class. No more than 2 adults per class are allowed.
Click HERE for a copy of our Chaperone Guide.
Can my students eat lunch at the Homestead?
Picnic facilities are available. We also have indoor spaces that can be used in inclement weather.
Are outreach programs available?
Yes. Many of our programs can be done in the classroom. Please contact us to discuss your particular needs.
What if none of your programs fit my curriculum?
We are able to customize any of our programs to fit the educational needs of your students for a one-time program development fee of $50 (in addition to the regular program fees).
Do you accommodate students with special needs?
Yes. We can adapt all our programs for students with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Please make us aware of these special needs when you book your visit.
What happens if it snows on the day of my scheduled visit?
We offer snow dates for any booking scheduled January through March. If the Katonah-Lewisboro School District is delayed or closed, or if your school district is delayed or closed, that day’s scheduled visit is postponed to the snow day.
What are the museum rules?
Flash photography, food or beverage, gum, handling the collections, and cell phone use for anything other than photographs is prohibited in the museum.
Do you offer grants to cover busing or admission fees?
Yes. Click HERE for information about our Connect Kids field trip grant program.
