School Group Visits
Planning Your Visit
School Group Visits
Study outside the normal classroom can improve students’ knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ability to retain information. Groups of up to 45 students are welcome for teacher-guided, or RJD-guided experiences at the Museum. The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum (RJD) offers guided school field trips which fit the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Standards. Programs at the RJD are also hands-on and minds-on, engaging students with activities like games, puzzles, writing, and discussion. School teachers wanting to lead their students through the RJD may do so by scheduling a Self-Guided School Trip.
Teacher Support Material
Growing Ideas, Cultivating Connections
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Learning History at Historic Places
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Planing Your Visit
School Group Resources
Growing Ideas, Cultivating Connections – Recommended for Grades 3, 4, 5
This science-based program focuses on the importance of the Honeybee. It fulfills an important part of the Life Science and Technology and Engineering requirements in the Massachusetts Science Curriculum Frameworks for 5th grade. Volunteer teachers and beekeepers guide students through several hands-on stations and instruction that teach about the life cycle of the honeybee and how honeybees benefit human beings, pollinate plants and contribute to food production. The program takes place outside, under a tent, and is available May through October.
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Learning History at Historic Places – Recommended for Grades 4, 5, 6
The Rotch-Jones-Duff whaling mansion provides an authentic setting for students to learn about 19th century New Bedford. The program explores the shore side of the whaling industry, how this entrepreneurial economy was impacted by sound Quaker business practices, and domestic life through the stories and activities of the families and individuals who lived and worked at the house. This program is available year-round.
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Planning Your school visit
- Guided School Programs take place at the RJD (396 County St.), are 1-hour in length, and are available between 9am and 3pm. See the specific program descriptions for availability and recommended grade levels.
- Guided School Programs at RJD are $6 per student with a minimum charge of $100 per visit; New Bedford Public Schools are free of charge. Donations are always accepted. No school group will be turned away due to inability to pay; please inquire when booking.
- You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the museum.
- The maximum size group for any given date is 45.
- A chaperone ratio of 1 to 10 is requested; a minimum of 1 to 15 is required. Chaperone Guidelines are sent to you upon confirmation of your tour date.
- Three weeks advance notice is requested, but we will do our best to accommodate your desired time frame.
- For more information, or to schedule your School Group Visit, email the Museum (link to DSalerno@rjdmuseum.org)
- Teachers are invited to visit the Museum before their field trip so that they may better prepare for the experience. When scheduling your visit, request a Free Pass to take advantage of this option.
Accessibility
The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum is a historic house. We have made all reasonable efforts to equip the house and grounds to be accessible to the public. The second floor of the house is not handicap accessible and may only be reached by a staircase. The first floor is accessible to the public via an alternative entrance*. The grounds and garden are fully accessible and can be accessed via the accessible entrance on Madison Street. There is a handicap parking space on Madison Street.
*Due to a malfunction with our lift system, the first floor of the museum house is currently only accessible by a few stairs via an alternative entrance. We are in the process of installing a wheelchair ramp. Please call ahead with any questions.
A digital guide is available to anyone who wishes to view the contents of the house. The Self Guided Tour is available in three languages (Spanish, Portuguese, and English)