School Tours

School Tours

Step out of the classroom, and into the dynamic learning environment of Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. Our docent-led tours offer students the chance to explore daily life in the 19^th century and make connections between the past and present.  We encourage active learning, with plenty of interactive experiences that enable students to see what it was like to live, work, and play in Western New York in the past. At BNHV, everyone has the unique opportunity to see, hear, feel, smell, taste and experience early American history up close.

The outdoor portion of the tour takes place outside in Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village’s historic 19th century village. Students will make personal connections with history through participatory and engaging programming. They will be led by a docent through various historic structures from the Western New York area. During this guided tour students will experience childhood, home life, and farm life of the nineteenth century.

Students, K-8, will explore state and local history; time, continuity, and change, the Erie Canal, Civic and Pioneer life.  Our Erie Canal Exhibit and Pioneer Kitchen Exhibit offer enriching experiences that allow students the chance to role play, use their imaginations, and use critical thinking skills as they examine artifacts and compare these items to their modern counterparts.

For more information or to book a tour, please email the Education Department at edu@bnhv.org

Pricing

Children: $8.50

Adults: $10.00

Teachers: Free

School Outreach Programs

BNHV offers Museum on the Go: School Outreach programs. Programs can be scheduled depending on the size of the group requesting the program.

• • One program session

    • This is a great option for libraries or smaller schools. 

    • Everyone will gather in a central location (auditorium, gym, etc.) to participate in the program.

    • Cost is $150 per hour.

  • Multiple sessions throughout the day

    • This is a great option for larger schools with multiple classes looking to take part in the program.

      • We will go classroom to classroom and present the program to each class separately throughout the school day.

    • Cost is $150 per class.

These programs can be scheduled Monday - Saturday. Program runs approximately 50-60 minutes.  

Available Programs

Corn: An A-maizing Plant

Appropriate for Grades 3 - 5 

• Students will learn and understand that corn is a versatile crop used for human consumption, livestock feed, and a wide range of industrial products – including bioplastics.

• Students will learn and understand the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources.

• Students will learn and understand that bioplastics are made from renewable, biological materials produced on farms.

Milk: The Scoop on Chemical and Physical Changes

Appropriate for Grades 9 - 12 

• Students will learn and understand the history and benefits of milk processing.

• Students will be able to identify the physical and chemical changes that transform milk into various dairy products.

Grain in Buffalo

Appropriate for Grades 3 - 5 

• Students will learn about and understand what grains are and why they are important. 

• To learn and understand Buffalo’s role in the grain industry.

Pollination and Beekeeping

Appropriate for Grades K - 4 

• To be able to identify the parts of a honey bee.

• To understand the stages in the honey bee life cycle. 

• To understand why honey bees are important to our planet.

• To understand what pollination is.

Pioneer Life Program

Appropriate for Grades 2 - 4 

• Students will learn about and experience what life was like for children, like themselves, during pioneer times.

Wonders of Wool Program

Appropriate for Grades PK - 2 and Grades 3-8

• Pk-2 Program:

• Students will understand that wool comes from sheep.

• Students will understand what can be made from wool.

• Students will understand how wool is processed.

• Grades 3-8 program:

• Students will understand how agricultural production and trade led to the development of industrialized societies. 

• Students will understand how wool is processed.

• Students will understand what can be made from wool.

Ox Cart Man Program

Appropriate for Grades 1 - 4 

• Students will learn how agriculture provides nearly all the products we rely on every day.

• Students will distinguish between producers and consumers.

• Students will explore the farm year.

 For more information or to book a Museum on the Go: School Outreach program, please email the Education Department at edu@bnhv.org