School Programs

Take your class back in time to when Westmoreland County was the American frontier! Field trips to Hanna’s Town, conducted by experienced guides, cover a variety of historical topics and include fun, hands-on activities. All programs are aligned with Pennsylvania education standards. Most groups spend anywhere from 2 – 5 hours with us on a field trip.

Your field trip to Hanna’s Town includes

Guided Tour of Historic Hanna's Town Approx. 30 MIN

Approx. 30 MIN

Students explore Hanna’s Tavern, the Gaol, and other significant places on a guided tour.

Students will discover the day-to-day lives of early Americans, the unique role of Hanna’s Town as the first seat of Westmoreland County, and how residents engaged with broader social, cultural, political, and economic activities.

Activities Approx. 30 MIN / each

Approx. 30 MIN / each

Fort Tour & Militia Talk

Students will explore the inside of a reconstructed stockade and learn about the dangers of living on the Pennsylvania frontier in the 18th century.

Frontier Court

Reenact actual court cases that took place at Hanna’s Town, the first seat of Westmoreland County. Students learn about the history of law and justice on the Pennsylvania frontier.
Best for 4th grade and up.

Historic Clothing

Do you usually wear 'stays' under your gown? Do you forget to button your knee britches? Students will learn about 18th century frontier fashion and textile production.

Museum Shop

Students can find high-quality, reasonably priced souvenirs to remember their visit to Hanna’s Town, such as 18th century toys and games, craft kits, books, jewelry, and more.

Nature Exploration

Students discover how people of the past interacted with the natural world. This seasonally-relevant nature exploration will take students through our gardens of heirloom plants and woodland trails.

Toys & Games

Very few store-bought toys and games were available to children on the frontier in the 18th century. Children or adult family members often made their own amusements. Students will play with toys and engage in games that were popular with children in early America.

Crafts Approx. 30 MIN / each

Approx. 30 MIN / each

Fraktur

German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought with them the tradition of fraktur, artful handwriting and drawing incorporated into birth and baptism certificates and family trees. Students will color or draw their own fraktur to take home.

Design a Flag

Westmoreland County’s official flag, carried by a militia that recruited at Hanna’s Town, is full of clues to the history of the county and the American Revolution. Students will discover the hidden meanings in the flag, learn about symbolism, and design their own flag to take home.

Papercutting

Students try their hand at the German art of Scherenschnitte. Similar to cutting a paper snowflake, students will cut traditional symbolic images such as hearts, flowers, and birds from paper and paste their image on cardstock to take home.

Tin Punch

Craftsmen in early America used tin punch to decorate metal items, such as lanterns and pie safe doors to make them more attractive. Students will create a simple tin punched panel to hang in a window.

Special Presenters Contact Us

Reenactors and historic craft demonstrators are available for an additional fee and 8 weeks advance notice.

Blacksmith

Learn about the history, skills, and science of blacksmithing from a professional. Students will observe demonstrations and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Long Rifle

Explore the development of the long rifle following the immigration of the German and Swiss to Eastern Pennsylvania. Learn how they made the rifling barrels, where black powder comes from, what they used for patching materials, char cloth for fire starting, and how lead was sourced to make ammunition for the rifles. Students are offered the opportunity to cast their own 'lead round ball' and cut a linen patch to take home.

Native American Traditions

Learn about traditional skills of Native Americans from a member of the Huron tribe. A variety of handmade or hand-prepared items are on display including wampum, fishing nets, rope, animal hides, and beadwork.

Native American Drumming

Drumming is important to Native People, who pass the tradition down through generations and use this special instrument at tribal meetings, festivals, and other social gatherings. Students will learn about the cultural significance of the drum, have the opportunity to make music, and see a display of handmade instruments and items.

How to Book

Thank you for your interest in our Hands on the Past programs! We are looking forward to having your students explore history with us. Please fill out this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

When you are ready to book, please have this information ready:

Potential dates for your visit
Arrival and departure times
Number of children and adults (1 adult for every 10 children)
Possible activities you would like to schedule
Special requests (lunch tables, accessibility, or curriculum focuses)

Please contact Lara Bromyard, Director of Education by phone at 724-836-1800 x212 or by e-mail at lara@westmorelandhistory.org.

Admission

Experience 18th Century Frontier Life

Includes:
Tour of Hanna’s Town
Four - Six Activities depending on size of Group

$7 / Student

Special Presenters

Available at Additional Cost & 8 weeks advance notice

Souvenir Gift Bags

Contact the Director of Education

Have More Questions?

Whether you’re researching your roots or planning a visit, we’re happy to help. Reach out anytime.