Premier Field Trip Destination in Harrisburg, PA
The NCWM is a great place for visitors of all ages, but especially great for students to learn about the Civil War. At our museum, we tell the full chronological story of the war, starting with the causes and ending with the effects. We also tell both sides of the war, providing a comprehensive and unbiased narrative with Union and Confederate representation. Covered in this article is a breakdown of what our museum has to offer school groups.
Students Swearing In
One of the first things visitors see when they come to our museum is the gift shop, which is as informational for guests as it is beneficiary in supporting our museum. Our gift shop has dozens of books for younger and older audiences which provide sort of an overview of the content covered in the museum. Additionally, alongside our souvenirs, guests can purchase plenty of replica items that are great for classroom use and projects alike. The kepis tend to be a student favorite.
Across from the gift shop is the Education Gallery, where school groups can elect to have a presentation prior to their tour of the exhibits. Our most popular presentation is currently “The Life of a Soldier,” which goes into the details of the life of a common Civil War soldier during the war. The presentation runs for about 20-25 minutes, including time for students to ask questions. Additionally, there’s opportunities to be hands-on with the reproductions and to try on replica attire from the period. For groups that are unable to be at the museum in person, special “virtual field trips” can be arranged to bring a presentation straight to the classroom. Other programming is forthcoming and/or being refined, so stay tuned!
Life of a Soldier Display
Within the museum galleries, additional content can be provided if requested prior to the trip. Scavenger hunts for both primary and secondary levels are available, which can be sent to teachers to print out beforehand. An answer key is also included. Other accommodations can be arranged for EITC schools. The scavenger hunt goes through both floors of the galleries, and students can find the answers in the various media showcased throughout.
Student Scavanger Hunt
If your group would like to eat on the premises, that can also be arranged. Packed lunches can be brought, stored in a single container, and held in our vending area for when students are ready to eat lunch. In nicer weather, our patio space is also available. Our museum is fortunate in its location; Reservoir Park is among the beautiful city parks built as part of the City Beautiful Movement at the beginning of the 20th century. Our museum sits at the highest point in Harrisburg, surrounded by a portion of the Capital Area Greenbelt, and boasts a view of four total counties: Dauphin (where the museum is located), York, Cumberland, and Perry.
If you’d like to learn more about scheduling school trips, visit our Education page or call the museum at (717)260-1861. We hope to see you soon!