Field Trips

On this page, we hope to post field trip ideas from YOUR state that dovetail with Tapestry subjects as organized in our week-plans.  Please submit your ideas to Ray, and please try to include the following information:

  • Your email address (for our sake, in case we have questions, but you can tell us if you're willing to have your email linked as a contact person for more info about your recommendation).

  • The name of the attraction.

  • ANY online links to explain, give information, about the attraction.

  • A short paragraph explaining why the attraction would serve homeschoolers.

THANKS for your help!  We will post states as their submissions come in, and under the weeks as listed below:

**IMAX often has great films that are a great addition to your academic studies.  Find out what is playing, and where, to schedule this activity for your family.

Unit 1

Week 1: When John Adams Was President

Week 2: Napoleon: The Man and His Career

Week 3: Early Industrial Revolution

  • Visit the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden, Connecticut

  • The Lowell National Historical Park, in Lowell, Massachusetts, is open all year long, and they have a wonderful program about the Industrial Revolution.

  • Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.  Vivian recommends this opportunity to see a real steamboat that was recovered from a Kansas City cornfield!  It sunk in 1856 in the Missouri River and when the river "rerouted" itself the boat ended up several feet underground in the middle of a farmer's field.  In 1988 a family and some of their friends recovered the boat and its contents.  Items are still being preserved and displayed even though there already rooms full of items!  Very neat field trip!!

  • Robert Fulton's Birthplace in Quarryville, Pennsylvania would be a great way to learn about the life of a great American.

  • If you are in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, consider visiting Slater Mill.  Their website has "pre-visit" information, discussion questions, and a glossary under "For Educators."  Have fun!

Week 4: Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase

  •   Visit Jefferson's home:  Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Week 5: Jefferson and the Supreme Court

  • Visit the Smithsonian in Washington DC. 

  • Supreme Court in Washington DC.  If you can't go to DC, consider visiting your local or state court.

Week 6: Madison and the War of 1812

  • Mary recommends the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Maryland where a battle took place during the war of 1812, prior to Key writing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Week 7: Reshaping Europe and South America

  • Louisiana State Museum, the site of the Louisiana Purchase Transfer in New Orleans, Louisiana.

  • "The Arch" in St. Louis, Missouri has a wonderful (free) museum that features Lewis and Clark's entire journey.  Recommended by Sarah K.

Week 8: South America in Transition

Week 9: Monroe and the American Hemisphere

Please email Dana if you have suggestions! 


Unit 2

Week 10: John Quincy Adams and Political Realignments

Week 11: Jacksonian Democracy

Week 12: Revolutions in Texas & Europe

  • The Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, will make a great family outing anytime during this unit.  They are open all year long for experiencing an 1830's New England village. The characters dress in costume and they have many wonderful demonstrations on gardening, musket firing, tin, pottery, blacksmith, carding mill, broom making, etc.  They offer at least 2 homeschool days each year, with discounted rates and special programs as well as a calendar of other homeschool days with rates based on number of students. 

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Week 14:

  • Many little theaters across the country make presentations of Dicken's A Christmas Carol.  Check your local attractions, or if you are in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, click here for ticket information.

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Week 18:

Please email Dana if you have suggestions! 


Unit 3

Weeks 19-23:  

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Week 26:

Please email Dana if you have suggestions!


Unit 4

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Week 32:

  • Visit (virtual or actual!) the "summer cottages" of the rich and famous tycoons of the 1800's.  See the Newport Mansions in Rhode Island!

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