School Field Trips

Hagley Museum and Library is where science and history engage through the story of technology, industry, and innovation that unfolded along the banks of the Brandywine River. For one hundred and twenty years, the DuPont Company, the du Pont family, and their workers represented a microcosm of American industry while also making advancements in the fields of chemistry, physics, engineering, and business. Their spirit and legacy are reflected in the school programs available for students from kindergarten to high school.

All of Hagley’s educational programs align with Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and state standards, particularly focusing on science, history, and economics. Students will satisfy their “STEMtation!” through interactive programs that emphasize water power, simple machines, and materials and their properties. Through “Hands-on History” programs students will take a journey back to nineteenth-century life and the Industrial Revolution.

Hagley offers nine different programs for educators to choose from to meet their educational goals. Teachers are welcome to visit Hagley for free in preparation for a scheduled school field trip. If you don’t find what you are looking for, let us know, and we would be happy to customize a program to meet your needs.

Hagley School Programs and the Standards At-A-Glance (click for larger PDF)

To reserve a tour, contact Group Tour Manager, Bonnie Wirth - (302) 658-2400 ext. 259 - bwirth@hagley.org.

For more information on how to incorporate a Hagley visit into your unit of study, please contact the Education Program Manager, Jeff Durst, at (302) 658-2400 x285 or by email at jdurst@hagley.org.

Student Programs & Tours

Please choose from one or more of the programs below

STEM-tation!

Water Power Tour – Grades 3-12 :
(NOTE: Because of ongoing flood damage repairs, the Water Power Tour is not available until Fall 2022.)
Harness the power of water that operated mills along the Brandywine River.

Simple Machines – Grades 4-12 : Leverage the many simple and complex machines that manufactured black powder

*NEW* Building S.T.E.A.M. – Grades K-2: Building up STEAM for science education has never been so fun!

Click here to read detailed descriptions

Hands-on History

Summer in Industrial America – Ages 4-12 : Bring your summer camp, youth group, or students to Hagley for fun on the Brandywine

Life at the Gibbons House – Grade K-3 : Step back to a time when cast iron stoves were used for baking and clothes were wrung through a wringer

The Factory System Workshop – Grades 2-8 : Take your place on an assembly line to make powder keg labels

Nineteenth Century Day – Grades 4-6 : Recreate daily life in a nineteenth century mill community

Industrial America – Grades 6-12 : Experience the rapid changes and innovation of the Industrial Revolution

Hidden Story Tour – Grades 6-12 - Take a personalized tour through the historic DuPont powder yard along the beautiful Brandywine. Hear stories about 19^th century life and work and see demonstrations showcasing early industrial technology.

Mill Owners’ World – Grades 9-12 : Step into the lives of the du Pont family by visiting Eleutherian Mills

Click here to read detailed descriptions

Schedule A Visit

To make a reservation, contact the tour office at (302) 658-2400, ext. 259 or bwirth@hagley.org, at least two weeks in advance. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

The following information is needed to book your tour:

Contact name
School address, phone, and e-mail (if available)
Name of requested program
Choice of date and time, along with two alternates
Number of students
Grade level
Any special needs of students
Lunch arrangements
Option to visit the Frizzells Store gift shop
Request for financial assistance

The number of complimentary chaperones depends upon the number of students visiting Hagley. You will be notified of that number at the time of your reservation. Additional chaperones are charged $14 each. Once your reservation is finalized, you will receive an email confirmation. Please check that all details are correct, and contact the tour office with any changes.

Preparing Your Students

Teachers are welcome to visit Hagley for free in preparation for a scheduled field trip. These measures will help to ensure a meaningful experience for every student: Introduce students to Hagley before your visit. We recommend reading "Hagley: A Place in Time" for a good overview.

Click here to download PDF copy of "Hagley: A Place in Time"

Clarify the learning objectives of the visit.
Link the visit to your curriculum using pre- and post-visit lessons.
Let students know what to expect. Research shows that students can focus more on learning if their questions about lunch and the gift shop are answered ahead of time.
Be sure students dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes, as most of our tours are outdoors.
Give students opportunities to reflect on the trip and build on it when you return to the classroom.

If you have questions, please contact the Education Program Manager, Jeff Durst, at (302) 658-2400 x285 or by email at jdurst@hagley.org.

FAQ

When is payment due?

Payment for the Life at the Gibbons House and Nineteenth Century Day is due one week in advance of the visit. Payment for all other programs is due on the day of the visit. We accept major credit cards, cash, and checks (payable to Hagley Museum and Library).

Where do school groups check in and park?

All programs begin at the Hagley Visitor Center (200 Hagley Creek Road; Wilmington, DE 19807). Hagley staff will greet your group upon arrival and instruct the bus driver where to park. Buses and private cars may park in the Visitor Center parking lot.

What type of lunch facility is available?

Depending on weather, lunch may be at our outdoor picnic tables or inside a museum building. In the case of inclement weather, alternate arrangements may be made. Students and chaperones will transport individual lunches. You may bring your own baskets to transport lunches, or basket can be provided. Refrigeration is NOT available.

What happens in inclement weather?

The program will not be cancelled unless the museum is closed. Instruct your students to dress appropriately for the weather. You have the option of cancelling or rescheduling a field trip due to weather conditions. If your school closes, please call the tour coordinator to reschedule your visit.

Are cameras and cell phones permitted?

Photography is permitted throughout the property, with the exception of the Eleutherian Mills residence and the First Office (included on the Mill Owner’s World). We ask that cell phones be silenced, as their use detracts from the program.

Is a gift shop available for students?

Yes, advanced arrangements can be made for students to shop at our Frizzells Store at the end of their program and/or during lunch. Please ask about details when scheduling your visit.

What are the chaperones’ responsibilities?

Chaperones are expected to supervise the safety and attentiveness of their students. They should assist with activities when required by Hagley staff.

How much walking is involved in a school program?

Hagley is a 235-acre property. Groups can anticipate walking a minimum of half a mile while at our site. Walking tours can require as much as a mile and a half of walking. Students and chaperones should wear sturdy walking shoes. Flip-flops and sandals are discouraged.

Is the site ADA accessible?

Many of our buildings are ADA-accessible. If any students or chaperones have special needs, please notify the Group Tour Manager when scheduling your visit. Hagley staff will endeavor to make all possible accommodation.

Financial Assistance

Hagley Museum wants to enable as many students as possible in the Delaware River Valley to experience our fun, immersive educational programs. To that end, we are pleased to provide financial assistance to offset the costs of your field trip. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis for all grade levels. All Title I schools are eligible to apply. Each school is limited to receiving up to $1250 in financial assistance each academic year.

Hagley offers two scholarship options:

Free Admission for Students on Free and Reduced Lunch: Hagley will cover the cost of admission for students in the Free and Reduced Lunch program. Please provide an accurate count of eligible students when submitting an application.

Transportation Reimbursement: Hagley will offset the costs of getting to our site by reimbursing bus companies or school districts. Estimated transportation costs are required when submitting an application.

To apply for financial assistance, please schedule your visit to Hagley first.

Then complete our application for scholarship funds . Applications must include a written explanation (up to 200 words) of how an education program at Hagley will benefit the students and meet state curriculum standards.

Questions? Contact Jeff Durst, Education Program Manager at:

Hagley Museum and Library
P.O. Box 3630
Wilmington, DE 19807
djohnson@hagley.org

Scholarship funds are provided by community sponsors. 2019-2020 sponsors include:

Wilmington Trust Company/M&T Bank
Dow Chemical Company
Lyons Companies
Hagley Handwork Group

Lessons & Resources

Hagley provides the following lessons and resources to supplement your classroom curriculum. They may be used in preparation for a visit to Hagley or on their own.

Nineteenth-Century Day at Hagley Museum Teaching Guide

An in-depth teaching guide with valuable information about life in a nineteenth century mill community. It includes lesson plans, primary sources, and a glossary.
The teaching guide supports Hagley’s Nineteenth Century Day and Industrial America programs.

Hagley Museum and Library Online Exhibits

Hagley’s website features several online exhibits that cover American business, Civil War, Art, Education, and nineteenth century industry.
DuPont Company on the Brandywine is a great introduction to any visit to Hagley. It includes information about the founding of the company and its growth during the nineteenth century. The exhibit also features fun interactives, graphics, and primary sources.

Hagley Museum and Library Digital Collections

A resource for primary documents about the du Pont family, the DuPont Company, and American business and innovation.
Sources include letters, photographs, maps, business records, and much more.
The digital collection provides important information for lesson plans, school research papers, and other projects.

A Separate Place

This documentary looks at the legacy of segregation and desegregation in Delaware through compelling interviews with former teachers and students in African American schools built by P.S. du Pont in the 1920s and 1930s. A supplementary curriculum packet is available

To find out more about education programs at Hagley, contact the Education Program Manager at (302) 658-2400 ext. 285.

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School Field Trips

Hagley School Programs and the Standards At-A-Glance (click for larger PDF)

STEM-tation!

Hands-on History