Friends of Brandywine Battlefield - EDUCATION PROGRAMSClick Above

The Friends of Brandywine Battlefield

Click here to join our FaceBook fan page

For the most recent information & announcements click on our FaceBook link above

Friends of Brandywine Battlefield
PO Box 202 - (Mailing Adress)
1491 Baltimore Pike - (Physical Address)
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
ph: 610-459-3342
fax: 610-459-9586
MuseumShopSales@brandywinebattlefield.org

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Click Above

Historical Background

During the campaign of 1777, the British General, Sir William Howe, decided to invade the vital Middle Colonies and capture Philadelphia. Philadelphia was very important as it was the newly formed capital and the largest cities in the colonies. The British approached Philadelphia by ship from the Chesapeake, landing at Head of Elk, Maryland (now called Elkton). After unsuccessful skirmishes around Wilmington, Delaware, Washington took up defensive positions around Chadds Ford to stop the British advance. Chadds Ford allowed safe and easy passage of the Brandywine River on the road from Baltimore to Philadelphia. Washington placed his troops along the Brandywine River to guard the main fords, or shallow places, where the river could be crossed. Washington believed that he had all of the fords along the Brandywine guarded by his troops and was confident the area was secure.

The British camped at the nearby town of Kennett Square and began to formulate a plan. A portion of the army would march towards Chadds Ford as if they intended to meet Washington and his army at the river. Meanwhile the majority of the army would march north of Wistar's Ford, cross the river at a ford unknown to Washington and march south into the flank of the American forces, attacking him from the rear. Superior tactics and better knowledge of the area allowed the British to win the biggest battle of the Revolutionary War.

Programs

Programs include: a video, a hands-on lesson in the Education Room, a house tour
Starting times vary & will be arranged when you book your program.
Time Required: 2-3 hours
Fee: $6.50 per student (includes 2 programs, $1 each additional program). Minimum group of 12 or minimum fee of $78
Special tours lasting more than 3 hours with additional programs will increase fee per student.
Upon arrival, group leaders please report to the Reception Desk at the Visitor's Center for payment of fees and distribution of tour schedules. We will help you keep our picnic areas free of litter by making trash bags available at the desk. Be sure to ask for one!
To create a personalized visit, just pick one or more of the following programs and explore this website with your students. Everything you need for a fun and educational visit to Brandywine Battlefield Park is right at your fingertips!
Primary Program

Preschool - Grade 2

"What's Old, What's New?": An increased understanding of George Washington's life and times is developed by comparing 18th- and 20th-century objects.
"Setting up Camp": As the children set up camp as a Revolutionary soldier would have, they learn about various artifacts used in the 18th-century.
"Colonial Toys": This program focuses on children and toys of the 18th century. The children will be invited to demonstrate a Jacob's Ladder, a Buzzer, and a Limber Jack.
"General Howe's Peruke" a New Activity, winter 2010, presented by the Puppet Theater.
Intermediate Program

Grades 3, 4, 5

"A Revolutionary Soldier Dress-Up": This is our most program and can be adapted to students of all ages. A student "volunteer" is selected & outfitted to be a soldier. As a class, the students learn about the daily life of a soldier, various accouterments carried by a Revolutionary soldier & the shear weight of it all as they imagine marching for miles carrying everything.
"A Quaker Girl Dress-Up": Discuss the roles of girls and women in 18th century Chadds Ford. Quakers played an important role in Pennsylvania A student will be dressed in clothing that would have been worn by a Quaker girl.
"The Losses of Gideon Gilpin": A play focusing on the impact of the war on the Gilpin family
"The Dash to Birmingham": A game in which students face and overcome obstacles they might have encountered fighting the Battle of Brandywine.
"Which for What": A seek-and-find exercise taking place in the museum, in which children match objects on display with their uses.

Junior High Program

"Read a letter, Write a letter": Students read firsthand accounts of the battle events, then write their own letters "home" using writing styles of the 18th century.
"Flags of the American Revolution": This program teaches the purpose of flags, the history of Revolutionary war flags, and how flags were made in the 18th century. Students will design and construct a flag for a specific Revolutionary War Unit.
High School

"Magnetic Map": This unique medium provides a detailed presentation of the Battle of Brandywine. Causes, strategies, and consequences to both armies and citizens are stressed.
"Early American Medicine -- The Soldier's Experience": This medical history program focuses on the differences in medical procedures and their effectiveness when treating similar wounds of the 18th- and 20th-century soldier.

Educational Programs at  Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site

Contact Beth Rourke 610.459.3342 x3003

ETRorke@gmail.com

Educational programming for preschool - 2nd grade, 3rd-5th, junior high, & high school. Programs are usually 2-3 hours.

    •   Why is it important to preserve old structures and historic landscapes?
   •   What do we know about the Revolutionary War soldier and his contribution to our freedom?
   •   Why are George Washington and Lafayette honored as heroes?

These questions and others will be answered during enjoyable programs designed to enable students to develop new abilities and historic perspectives. Guides in period clothing lead students through a series of discovery-oriented activities in the Education Room at Washington's Headquarters and at Lafayette's Quarters.

Rules of good museum behavior & methods of learning in a historic environment will be introduced.

A Cooperative Effort Brings the Best Results

School tours are available Tuesday through Friday.
School groups are limited to 60. Special arrangements can be made for larger groups.
Minimum group of 12 or minimum fee of $72.00. See above.
One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students.
Required chaperones and teachers are not charged. Extra chaperones pay student rate.
All school reservations are confirmed in writing.
Rain dates are not available.
To insure a satisfactory experience, it is important to arrive on time.
Bus or van drivers are expected to transport students from the Visitor Center to the historic houses. Drivers are welcome to join tour groups at no charge.
No headsets or personal stereos allowed in the buildings.
No eating, drinking, smoking, or gum chewing is permitted in the Visitor's Center or historic houses.
Eating facilities include outside picnic tables only.
Museum gift shop with educational toys and books is available to students if time permits.
Bringing siblings is not encouraged. If they attend, the usual student rate will be charged.

Brandywine Battlefield is easily accessible via Route 1. Outdoor picnic facilities are available for brown bag lunches. Restroom facilities are available in the Visitor Center during operating hours. Parking areas are provided at the Visitor Center, historic houses, and the picnic areas for both cars and buses.

For reservations or more info, call 610-459-3342 x3003

or write:

Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site, PO Box 202 Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Attn:Education Program

Webmaster's Email

Web Hosting by Yahoo!