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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, MA     March 16, 2011

SCHOOL PROGRAMS BEING OFFERED

DURING SPRING VACATION WEEK

Storrowton Village Museum, in response to spring vacation changes, will make its regular school programs, “Little Red Schoolhouse,” “Storrowton Sampler,” and “Look Back” available during the week of April 18 for those schools that are in session.

“Little Red Schoolhouse” and “Storrowton Sampler” will be offered Monday, April 18 and Friday, April 22. “Look Back,” “Little Red Schoolhouse,” and “Storrowton Sampler” will be held Tuesday, April 19. For those schools that hold their regular April vacation week, the Village will present its annual scheduled school vacation program, “A Day Away in the Past,” Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21.

Each program is designed to offer children unique, hands-on, educational experience as they explore the history of the 19th century. “Little Red Schoolhouse” offers a day of challenging and fun activities similar to those in the life of a 19th century student. Led by a Schoolmaster or Schoolmistress in period dress, children will practice quill pen writing, spelling bees, math drills, and old-fashioned games. In “Look Back,” children will learn about the different roles for boys and girls through daily activities such as cooking, blacksmith skills, and calligraphy. Four dynamic activities make up the “Storrowton Sampler,” which may include quill pen writing in a copybook, a scavenger hunt on the Village grounds, dipping candles, or cooking over an open hearth.

“A Day Away in the Past” will give children a chance to step into the 19th century and learn about Early American Village life. Children ages 7 – 12 dress in period costumes and try their hands at early American crafts such as candle dipping, play springtime games and experience every aspect of a blacksmith’s shop, including pumping the bellows at a coal-fired forge, working a hand-crank drill press, filing white work and more.

Reservations are required for all programs, and “Little Red Schoolhouse,” “Look Back” and “Storrowton Sampler” must be reserved by teachers for their classes in advance. Prices vary by program and are available by calling Storrowton Village Museum.

The cost of “A Day Away in the Past” is $35 and children must bring their lunch. Space is limited for this popular program and reservations must be received by Friday, April 15.

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Storrowton Village Museum, an educational arm of Eastern States Exposition and located on its grounds in West Springfield, Mass., presents hands-on school programs and guided tours of its historic buildings throughout the year as well as seasonal 19th century-themed events. It is the site of Storrowton Tavern/Carriage House and Storrowton Village Museum Gift Shop and is a picturesque, popular site for weddings held in its Meetinghouse and Gazebo.