1. Urban Walking Tours & Scavenger Hunts

RCHS’ urban walking tours let your students learn about history where it happened! All walking tours last 1 1/2 hours and cost $5/student. Walking tours meet NYS Social Standard 1: Key Ideas 2 & 4 and ELA Standards 1 & 4. Maximum group size 2 classes/50 students.

Exploring Communities
2nd – 3rd grade

See first-hand how the urban community of Troy has changed over time and how its growth has been influenced by geographic and environmental factors (3rd grade emphasis). The 2nd grade program focuses on the unique buildings of downtown Troy, the role they play in forming our community, and how urban, suburban and rural communities support one another.

The Growth of a City
4th-5th grade; can be adapted for 7th-8th grade

Comparing historic photographs and drawings to the streets of today inspires student imaginations, shows students how to “read” history in the buildings around them, and teaches them about the growth of Troy and its role in the growth of the nation. This walk provides background for a DBQ that can be done in class.

Abolition & Escape
4th grade – 8th grade

History comes to life as students visit sites in downtown Troy ranging from a known “station” on the Underground Railroad to an abolitionist church. Readers’ theater brings your students into the dramatic story of escaped slave Charles Nalle – on the exact site of his rescue. Reproductions of historic documents, illustrations and firsthand accounts provide the basis for a DBQ about the Fugitive Slave Act to be done in class afterwards.

Architecture Scavenger Hunt
Grades 3 - 5

Students participate in a walking tour of downtown Troy searching for architectural treasure. An orientation at the museum introduces students to architectural vocabulary and architectural details. On the hunt, students travel to a variety of different styles and types of buildings. A wrap-up session back at the museum helps students connect the architecture they viewed to local history.

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2. Hart-Cluett House Tours

Let your students experience history firsthand through a tour of the historic Hart-Cluett House.

One House, Many Stories
4th-5th grade, can be adapted for older students

The date is January 25, 1850, and the residents of 59 Second Street are getting ready for a big party. Readers’ theater and object-handling opportunities bring the stories of the owners and immigrant servants who lived and worked in this beautiful 19th century home to life for your students. Students will learn about the factors that brought immigrants to Troy and see for themselves how technological change has impacted daily life. A post-tour document analysis workshop features archival materials directly related to the skits that students enact in the Hart-Cluett House and can be completed at your school or at RCHS.

Program details: 1-1/2 hours for house tour; 3 hours for tour and guided on-site document workshop. Cost is $5/student for tour; $8/student for tour and workshop. Maximum group size 2 classes/50 students. Meets NYS Social Standard 1: Key Ideas 2 & 4 and ELA Standards 1 & 4.

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3. History in Your Classroom

RCHS provides pre- and post-trip materials for all field trip programs.

You may also schedule the following outreach programs and have an RCHS educator bring a hands-on presentation to your classroom to excite your students and prepare them to make the most out of their museum program. Outreach presentations can also be scheduled independent of a museum visit.

All outreach programs last 1 hour. Cost: $90 for 1 class (max. 30 students), $60/class for additional classes on the same date and location.

From Suburb to City

Your students will use historic maps, photographs, and artifacts to explore the growth of the city of Troy and discover why Troy developed where it did and how changes in transportation have turned Troy’s original suburbs into part of the city of Troy itself.

A Center of Commerce and Trade “Contrived by Nature”

Why is Troy called the “Collar City”? Students will learn for themselves as they try scrubbing a shirt on a washboard and then see how a real detachable collar works. Handling artifacts from important Troy industries and a PowerPoint “tour” of Troy in 1881 help students to understand the geographic, economic, and technological factors that led Troy to be one of the most prosperous U.S. cities of the 19th century.

Not a Railroad, and Not Underground

Handling a (reproduction) set of shackles similar to the ones worn by Charles Nalle during his escape will draw students into the drama of Nalle’s story. Learn about the African-American population of Troy prior to the Civil War and “meet” some of the important figures that took part in the Nalle story.

Andirons, Bedwarmers & Chamberpots

Students will learn about the ABCs of daily life in the 19th century and prepare for their trip to the Hart-Cluett House by handling tools & implements and matching them to their 21st century function – if one exists!

Rensselaer County's Industrial History & Child Labor

This program is designed to introduce students to the rich industrial history of Rensselaer County and to the use of children as a labor force in industry. Students will engage in a hands on "industrial revolution activity," and view a PowerPoint presentation containing historic images of local industrial sites and photographs illustrating the working conditions found in the 19th century. Students analyze primary source documents to learn about the children who worked in the factories and foundries of 19th century Troy.

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4. Programs for Middle and High School Classes

The Growth of a City, Abolition & Escape, and One House, Many Stories programs have all been successfully adapted for middle and high school audiences. At this level, programs focus on the connections between local history and national stories. For older students, we also offer:

War and Remembrance

Come to RCHS and let music, artifacts, letters, and images bring the stories of the Civil War, World War I, or World War II to life for your students. This program is best paired with our “Monuments and Memorials” walking tour, which examines how Trojans have chosen to commemorate wars from the Revolution to Vietnam.

Program details: 11/2 hours for hands-on program; 3 hours for program and walking tour. Cost is $5/student for program; $8/student for program and tour. Maximum group size 2 classes/50 students. Meets NYS Social Standard 1: Key Ideas 2 & 4 and ELA Standards 1 & 4.

Schedule a Visit Today!

All programs start at our headquarters in the Carr Building, 57 Second Street, Troy, NY

Cost: See individual program descriptions for cost information.

Cancellation Policy: Tours must be cancelled at least 48 hours in advance. Groups canceling after that time will be billed for the full cost of the tour. Walking tours happen rain or shine.

Group Size: Up to two classes. One chaperone is required for every 8 students.

BOCES Aid Approved

For more information, or to make a reservation, contact us at 518-272-7232 x.17.

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