The History Tour at the museum is an interactive program designed for 3rd graders and their social studies curriculum. Students explore the museum where they learn about life in Santa Clara Valley, from the Alta California days to the 1950s. The experience engages students through lessons and hands-on activities to encourage them to discover history through investigation and play.
To request a field trip date for your school, fill out the form HERE. Please review our FAQ section, with policy CHANGES to the school program. Email schoolprogram@heritageparkmuseum.org for questions.
History Tour FAQ
> What is the time frame for the field trip?
The history tour is offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, beginning at 9AM, and ending at 11:30AM. The begin and end times can be adjusted to accommodate school bell schedule, transportation time to the museum, and other special requests.
If you would like to bring lunches to eat after the field trip, you are welcome to use the outdoor grounds of the museum, which includes shaded bench seating, pavilion, lawn and garden.
> How many students can attend a history tour & how many chaperones are needed?
The maximum student capacity per tour is 24 students.
Classes must bring a minimum of 4 chaperones (six is ideal), in addition to the teacher/instructors.
The chaperones will be the leaders for exhibit stations, each with hands-on activity and lasting for 20 minutes. They will be trained onsite and provided with scripts for each station that they lead.
Students do activities in groups or with a partner, including a group project.
> What is the program of the History Tour?
The class is greeted by museum interpretive staff of docents, at the front porch of the museum. Students can start with a small snack and use the restroom, as needed. While the students listen to an introduction talk, the chaperones will receive training from a museum staff member.
After the introduction and chaperone training, the students are divided into their groups. The museum docents will start each group at a [different] exhibit station. A station rotation is 20 minutes. Chaperones begin leading the station’s lesson/activity, and the museum docent facilitates and tracks time. Student groups will rotate through the stations, which include
- A visual history of Santa Clara Valley, and communities of Sunnyvale and vicinity
- Exploring period rooms of an early home, and education in a country school
- Hands-on experiences using tools people worked with over 100 years ago, such as washing clothes by hand, sweeping, and manual construction of a wood bench
After completing all the stations, the class will regroup for a wrap-up and closing activity with the teacher, chaperones, and the docents.
> What is the cost of the History Tour?
The tour is no charge for school visits. However, we always appreciate receiving donations from visiting classes (we suggest about $5 per student)-- but it is completely optional. Donations are the museum's main source of income, and they fund the cost of materials for field trip activities and usage of the museum space. The museum staff donates their time.
> Where is the museum located and what about parking?
570 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale CA 94087.
We are located in Sunnyvale Community Center.
There is ample parking in front of the gated museum grounds.
Enter using the black gate on the far left side, as you look toward the museum.
Important number to call/text if lost, or for issues within 24 hours of the museum visit:
Museum Education Program Coordinator, Jane Sun, (408) 835-3950
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In past years, third grade students from schools in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Cupertino school districts visited our museum to take a glimpse into past times.
Learning how to use a clothes wringer.
Materials from long-ago school days the students can view
Students can play with vintage toys
Students can try pumping water
