Education Programs
The Haddam Historical Society is most proud of our award-winning educational programs. Since 1994 we have provided students with hands-on learning experiences designed to be age-appropriate, fun, and correlate with and enhance the school curriculum. The Society currently hosts students in multiple grades from Regional District #17 and beyond. The goal is to enrich students’ understanding of, and appreciation for, history and the heritage of our town.
Summer Program:
A Week in the Life of an Early American Child
June 23-27, 2025 AND July 21-25, 2025
Each summer, the Haddam Historical Society holds its popular kid’s program, “A Week in the Life of an Early American Child,” and this year, it will run TWICE. Offered Monday-Friday, June 23-27 and July 21-25, 2025 from 9 am to 12 pm each day, the program is open to all children ages 8–12 and gives kids a chance to unplug and experience old-fashioned fun!
Students will travel back in time to the year 1830 and spend the week with Mrs. Thankful Arnold, her family, and her neighbors. All activities take place at the Thankful Arnold House Museum in Haddam, and they include caring for farm animals, crafting with wool, making butter, baking, dancing, and playing with Colonial toys and games! The fee is $159 per week with all materials and snacks included. Some scholarship funding is available.
Contact Nicole Harlow, Education Coordinator, The Haddam Historical Society, at education@haddamhistory.org or call (860) 345-2400 with any questions. All students must be pre-registered as space is limited.
NOTE: We are trying a new third-party platform for ticketing. They do not charge fees, so we are able to receive the full benefit of your event registration or donation. The platform will add an OPTIONAL suggested contribution to allow them to continue offering their services to non-profit organizations free of charge.
For Grade Two:
Haddam Center Tour (May)
Students visit six sites relating to Haddam history and government. The Thankful Arnold House, Courthouse Green, The Ancient Burial Yard, and Brainerd Academy all reveal pieces of Haddam’s past. At the Town Office Building students learn about Haddam’s present.
Curriculum connection: Social Studies - Community Government and Services: job of the Board of Selectmen, what a town meeting is; communities of yesterday and today: familiarity with history of local community.
For Grade Five:
Life in an Early American Home
Children of today discover how different their roles were in Early America. Students choose to stitch a mini-sampler and realize the importance of their domestic skills, or to make a kite and learn how many chores outside the home depended on them.
Curriculum connection: Social Studies - General Geography: regions of the US; use and creation of time line; New England Colonies and Revolutionary War (home life).
For Information on Girl Scout Programs
For more information on program scheduling, fees, and registration, contact Nicole Harlow, Education Coordinator, at the Haddam Historical Society: education@haddamhistory.org. If you are interested in other badges, let us know!