The Cleveland History Center's Homeschool Field Trip Series offers high-quality history, civics, and social studies education to families who homeschool.
Join us one Thursday a month for educator-led programs for all ages!
Program Admission rates:
- Students (ages 3-18; pre-registration highly recommended): $8
- Parents/Guardians: Free
- Children ages 0-2: Free
- Parking: $8 per car, flat rate - paid onsite at CHC before leaving.
- A Homeschool Field Trip Season Pass is also available for 2024-2025 at $55. Click here to purchase through our online store. Purchasing a Season Pass guarantees your spot for all eight sessions over the course of the year.
If you participate in the Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program, your Homeschool Field Trip admissions may be eligible for reimbursement. However, if you are considering purchasing a WRHS membership for reimbursement through that program, please note that program rules only allow reimbursement approvals for the $90 Household membership and (new!) the $125 Passport membership.
Logistical Information:
- All programs run from 10am-12pm on the program date.
- Please arrive by 9:50am to check in so we may start on time.
- Families may bring packed lunches to eat onsite after the program.
- Admission to a Homeschool Field Trip Day includes admission to the museum for the rest of the day.
- Any questions? Contact education@wrhs.org or call 216-721-5722 ext. 1503.
Please note: homeschool groups or collectives may also schedule group tours or programs at WRHS:
- Options for the Cleveland History Center are available here. To book, contact education@wrhs.org or call 216-721-5722 ext. 1503.
- Options for Hale Farm & Village are available here. To book, contact halereservations@wrhs.org, or call 330-666-3711 ext. 1720.
2024-2025 Homeschool Field Trip Series Programs
To purchase a full season pass, click here.
To purchase tickets single tickets, please look for the "Purchase Tickets" button under the program description for that day.
September 19
Transportation
Did you know that Cleveland was once the Car Capital of the World? In September, we will look at how different modes of transportation in Cleveland changed over time.
- Ages 3-5 will learn about the adventures of Robert Manry aboard his sailboat Tinkerbelle and what it takes to travel solo.
- Ages 6-8 will examine what it means to be the “Car Capital of the World,” learning about car-related businesses that flourished in Northeast Ohio.
- Ages 9-12 will explore car safety and the evolution of cars in our Corvair exhibit, along with the process of the car assembly line.
- Ages 13+ will focus on the design and ethics of the Chevy Corvair, and the car industry of the 1960s.
Program date passed.
October 17
Every Four Years
This election season, kids will learn about how elections work and practice their civic duty as future voters.
- Age groups 3-5 and 6-8 will learn the basics of voting through age-appropriate interactive games and historical materials.
- Age groups 9-12 and 13+ will learn how, historically, political parties have developed their platforms and persuaded voters. After exploring primary source documents from two pivotal historical elections, students evaluate candidates’ strengths and participate in a mock election.
(Limited availability)
November 21
Life in the Western Reserve
When Moses Cleaveland came west from Connecticut in the 1790s, he and his survey team entered the land then called the Western Reserve. For November, we’ll examine the land his team explored, the people they met, and the way the people who came after them capitalized on Northeast Ohio’s unique resources.
- Ages 3-5 and 6-8 will learn Early Northeast Ohio history, focusing on how canals and trading shaped the landscape of the Cleveland area.
- Ages 9-12 and 13+ will focus on Moses Cleaveland’s journey. Through hands-on activities, they will explore the ups and downs of that trip, his interactions with Native Americans, and how he worked with surveyors to map out the future site of the city of Cleveland.
December 12
Curator's Choice!
In December, our popular Curator-led homeschool event returns!
- Ages 3-5 will learn about the lives of kids in the past, playing with historical toys and exploring our Hay-McKinney Mansion.
- Ages 6-13+ can choose between two sessions, each led by a WRHS curator –
- 1) Chief Curator Eric Rivet brings his hands-on military history kits to help students imagine the lives of soldiers in the World Wars, or,
- 2) Museum Advisory Council Curator of Costume and Textiles Patty Edmonson leads an exploration of our All Dolled Up exhibit, examining how dolls do much more than keep us company when we’re young.
January 16
Our Cityscape
In January, we’ll dive deep into the buildings and landmarks and roadways that distinguish our city.
- Ages 3-5 will learn how cities are built and use blocks to build their own city.
- Age groups 6-8 and 9-12 will play a game to help them examine how people move in and out of neighborhoods over time, and learn about important landmarks that define Cleveland neighborhoods.
- Ages 13+ will consider the question more philosophically – using items on display in the Cleveland History Center galleries, students will what makes a landmark a landmark, and how do they gain meaning?
February 20
Black History Month
Cleveland’s Black community has played a critical role in making our city what it is today. For February, we explore their contributions.
- Ages 3-5 will learn about prominent African-Americans who influenced the transportation industry in Cleveland.
- Ages 6-8 and 9-12 will examine how African-Americans in Cleveland during the early 20th century built strong community bonds.
- Ages 13+ will explore Cleveland’s contributions to the Underground Railroad in the lead-up to the Civil War.
March 20
Women's History Month
During Women’s History Month, we dive deep into the stories of special women in Cleveland’s history and how their successes and commitments paved the way for women today.
- Ages 3-5 will learn about Florence Boswell, the Powder Puff Derby, and other female pilots in Cleveland’s history.
- Ages 6-8 and 9-12 will trace about the fight for women's suffrage in our Women & Politics exhibition.
- Ages 13+ will get creative! Students will discuss the Tiffany & Co aesthetic, focusing on Cleveland native Clara Driscoll, who helped to design some of Tiffany’s most famous lamps.
April 17
Entrepreneurship
In April, students will learn about entrepreneurship, or what it means to start your own business, while learning about special entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio history.
- Ages 3-5 will play games to understand the concepts of buying, selling, and trading, and will imagine their own marketplace.
- Ages 6-12 will use maps to examine how productive resources get to where they need to be. Then, they’ll investigate how Cleveland entrepreneurs have grown their businesses, in order to design their own business or pitch a product idea.
- Ages 13+ will explore how to positively affect their communities through entrepreneurial means, creating their own businesses and ideal communities together.
