I love living in New England, there is just so much history all around us.  Next year my crew is going to be studying the Early Modern time period (the events surrounding the founding of our country) and I just can’t wait to get out and explore.  Here is our list of places to see:

New England Field Trip Destinations

Strawbery Bank – Portsmouth, NH – Walk through historic buildings in an authentic 10-acre outdoor history museum dedicated to bringing 300* years of American history to life.

Fort at no. 4 – Charlestown, NH – Authentic re-creation of the fort that protected Charlestown village

Plymouth Rock, Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II – Plymouth, MA – Interact with role-players who live daily life as 17th-century characters, learn about history from the perspective of the Wampanoag native americans, and visit a replica of the boat that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620.

Driving tour of NH Historical Markers – There are many locations of interest that may be just down the street from your home.  Take a look!

Walk the Freedom Trail – Boston, MA – Follow a 2.5-mile-long redbrick or red-painted line that links 16 historic sites, including the Boston Massacre in downtown Boston, the USS Constitution in Charlestown and the Paul Revere House in the North End.

Old Ironsides & USS Constitution Museum – Boston, MA – The 44-gun USS CONSTITUTION, built in Boston, was launched on Oct. 21, 1797.  Tour the boat and visit the accompanying museum.

Bunker Hill Monument & Museum – Boston, MA – Explore the site of the historic battle at which the famous words “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” were spoken.

Salem Witch Museum – Salem, MA – Learn about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692

Old North Church & Paul Revere House – Boston, MA – Visit with Living History actors at the printing office, and receive a tour of the church known for “One if by land, Two if by sea.”  Then walk to the home of Paul Revere and learn about his beautiful metal work.

Peabody Museum  at Harvard – Cambridge, MA  – large Aztec & Native American collections

Benjamin Franklin driving tour – Boston, MA  – Benjamin Franklin was born and began his printing career right here in New England.  Drive or walk through his home town.  (this is short, but very close to the aquarium if you are looking for a fun way to extend your stay)

Old Sturbridge Village –  Sturbridge, MA – Explore 40 buildings that re-create a New England town in the time range of 1790-1840 with costumed actors portraying villagers from the era. There are plenty of hands-on activities and a new Kidstory early-learning center.

John Adams National Park – Quincy, MA – visit the home of 2 US Presidents

American Independence Museum – Exeter, NH – learn about the site of the Revolutionary-era capital

Minute Man National Park – site of the “shot heard round the world”  Participate in a militia drill, spin wool, and learn what life was like in 1775

Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum – Warner, NH – learn about local Native Americans as you go on both indoor and outdoor “quests.”

Time Sensitive Events

These are annual, but I posted the 2013 dates & times.

Cry Innocent play – Salem, MA
June 30–August 18, Friday–Tuesday: 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & Sunday: 2:30
History Alive actors vividly depict the trial of a Bridget Bishop, accused during the Salem Witch trials.

Living History Event – Hillsborough, NH
Aug 17 & 18, 2013
A 2 day event at which you can watch battles, make your own pot, cast a pewter spoon,   and more

American Independence Festival – Exeter, NH
July 20, 2013 10am – 5pm
A Living History event.  View the horseback delivery of the Declaration and listen to the public reading (complete with hecklers!), chat with historic role-players, step to the stirring music of the Lincoln Fife and Drum and delight in the maneuvers and cannon firings of militias.

Muster with the Militia – Lexington, MA
Daily: May 25 – October 27, 2013 10:30AM
Participate in a militia drill with wooden muskets. You will be challenged to master REAL battle formations from 1775.

Did you know that you can have the field-trip come to you?  

Register your class for a  program with Historic New England.  They offer everything from colonial crafts to  instruction in analyzing primary source documents.  We have attended a few, and they are very well done.

Don’t forget that a lot of these facilities participate in the Highland Street Foundation’s Free Fun Fridays during the summer.  They are usually packed on those days, but you can’t beat the price!

Did I miss anything?  Let me know and I’ll add it in.