Greetings,
At the Staten Island Historical Society, which operates a historic village
of homes, shops and a courthouse from 1695-1907, school groups have been on
the increase despite a mandatory daily reading period in New York City
public schools.
As the former Director of Institutional Advancement, I contributed to this
expansion, in part. Here are key elements of that success.
All programs have been calibrated to match New York State curriculum
requirements. Detailed information is clearly posted on the Web site:
www.historicrichmondtown.org. Each program is described by content, skills
and grade appropriateness. Fourth grade is particularly aligned with US
history and social studies. Every program has a reading/literacy component.
Teachers are encouraged to visit the Web site prior to making reservations.
This cuts down on phone calls. They can submit information via email.
A promotional mailing is sent to Master teachers, principals and teachers in
early fall. It lists all programs and promotes use of the Web site. Plus,
there is a high return rate.
Emphasis is placed on "Get your hands on history" and the participatory and
nature of the programs.
When a school visited, I had a ready-made press release and would request
pre-visit approval to take a photo and get quotes from the teacher and two
students. I would take a digital photo and fill in the quotes from the
visitors. Then I would email the press release and photo to a local
newspaper.
One program is quite unique; the Society operates New York City's only
working farm. From October through early November, classes visit the farm,
learn about chores in the 19th century, see the chickens, dig in the dirt,
take a hay ride pulled by a tractor and pick out a pumpkin (usually 5-inches
in diameter). For city kids, some living in public housing, this is an
incredibly exciting visit and it is an enormous draw to be in the "country."
It's not just Halloween; it is seeing the people in mid-19th century dress,
beating the dust and ashes out of the rugs, etc.
There is a modest "History on the Go" program where interpreters conduct
workshops in school classrooms. This should grow, in theory. By training
people who live in Brooklyn, for example, to cover the schools in that
community, it makes it easier for them to visit the schools instead of
sending employees from the museum in Staten Island.
School attendance is 35,000; the Executive Director wants to push it to
50,000 and it could get there, eventually.
Janet Falk
_________________
Janet Falk
Marketing and Communications
212/677-5770 office
347/256-9141 cell
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