School Programs
The Hudson River Maritime Museum provides educational opportunities for students of all ages. Educators can choose from a variety of educational programming, including self-guided tours, guide-led tours, hands-on science experiments, in-class programs, primary source analysis workshops, and on the water learning experiences.
In-Class Programs
Maritime Museum Educators bring the lesson to your classroom through a variety of programs. Students and teachers can attempt scientific experiments, engage with archival objects and texts, and/or construct miniature boats for buoyancy tests. Activities can be tailored for multiple age groups and are designed for up to 30 students at a time.
Field Trip Programs
Maritime Museum Educators bring the lesson to your classroom through a variety of programs. Students and teachers can attempt scientific experiments, engage with archival objects and texts, and/or construct miniature boats for buoyancy tests. Activities can be tailored for multiple age groups and are designed for up to 30 students at a time.
Field Trip Programs
$7 bOATS, bOATS, BOATS - pRE K - 1
Boats, Boats, Boats is a program designed for young children. Students will learn about different kinds of boats and their usage. This program is only an hour and a half. This program is $7/person.
This program includes:
Recommended Grade Level: Pre K - 1st grade
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
This program includes:
- A guided tour of the museum, focusing on the different boats within our exhibits. 20-30 mins
- A chance to play on our steamboat play ground and learn more about steamboats. 20-30 mins
- Touching and taking a looking inside our 1898 tugboat, Mathilda. 20-30 mins
Recommended Grade Level: Pre K - 1st grade
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
$7 standard tour plus one ACTIVITY - All Grades
This Standard Tour includes a guided tour of the museum and your choice of ONE activity.
This program is $7/person.
Activities to choose from
- Science of Sailing - A hands-on-activity that includes five rotating science based activities such as learning about simple machines.
- Semaphore Flag Game - Students will learn about semaphore flags, including their use and what each flag movement means. Students will then get to use semaphore flags in a spelling game.
- Industrial Walking Tour - A guided walking tour around the Rondout district to learn about how nature reclaims historic spaces, including Island Dock, the Newark Cement Company, and the Rondout barge graveyard. Students will analyze historic images to compare with modern views.
- Steamboat Playground - hands-on game with our newly revamped steamboat playground behind the museum, including steering, loading and unloading goods, and operating the walking beam steam "engine" in order to reach a destination.
- Scavenger Hunt - Students will be put into groups and given a scavenger hunt worksheet. They will have to solve the riddles and puzzles by exploring the museum.
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11
$10 Standard tour plus two activities - all grades
This Standard Tour includes a guided tour of the museum and your choice of TWO activities.
This program is $10/person.
Activities to choose from
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11
This program is $10/person.
Activities to choose from
- Science of Sailing - A hands-on-activity that includes five rotating science based activities such as learning about simple machines.
- Semaphore Flag Game - Students will learn about semaphore flags, including their use and what each flag movement means. Students will then get to use semaphore flags in a spelling game.
- Industrial Walking Tour - A guided walking tour around the Rondout district to learn about how nature reclaims historic spaces, including Island Dock, the Newark Cement Company, and the Rondout barge graveyard. Students will analyze historic images to compare with modern views.
- Steamboat Playground - hands-on game with our newly revamped steamboat playground behind the museum, including steering, loading and unloading goods, and operating the walking beam steam "engine" in order to reach a destination.
- Scavenger Hunt - Students will be put into groups and given a scavenger hunt worksheet. They will have to solve the riddles and puzzles by exploring the museum.
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11
$10 EXPLORING ALONG THE HUDSON - GRADES 1-12
Exploring the Hudson focuses on Henry Hudson’s 1609 journey up the Great River and his encounters with the people native to the Hudson River Valley before European settlement. This program is $10/person.
This program includes:
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11
This program includes:
- A tour of the museum with emphasis on the Henry Hudson exhibit with replica aft cabin of the Half Moon, and information on Native Americans in the Hudson River Valley. 45-60 mins.
- A presentation on 17th and 18th century maps and navigation techniques, using primary source images, and introduction to map terminology. 20-30 mins
- A map-making program where students create their own maps. Please choose one of the following options:
- Students receive a blank map of the museum yard and explore the yard as they name the blank objects and places. 20-30 mins. (recommended for 1st-2nd grade)
- Students receive a worksheet and coloring supplies to create a map of their neighborhood from memory, including streets and major landmarks. 20-30 mins. (recommended for 2nd-5th grade)
- Students divide into chaperoned small groups and explore the immediate neighborhood, taking notes of landmarks and place names, then return and create a map of their travels from notes and memory. 30-45 mins. (recommended for 5th-12th grade)
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11
$10 THE HUDSON AND THE REVOLUTION - GRADES 4-12
The Hudson and the Revolution is a themed program focused on the lives of Revolutionary Americans on the Hudson River and in the Hudson River Valley.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is proud to partner with the First Ulster County Militia reenactment group to provide living-history reenactments and demonstrations of Revolutionary War era sailors, civilians, and soldiers for this program. This program is $10/person.
This program includes:
Students will be given some Revolutionary War context during the program, but should have a base knowledge of the general history of the war, as this program focuses more on local history.
Reenactment programs are flexible and in the past have included demonstrations of 18th century boat building techniques, 18th century military life and musket firings, and presentations on the Burning of Kingston.
Recommended Grade Level: 4th -12th grade
To book this tour please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is proud to partner with the First Ulster County Militia reenactment group to provide living-history reenactments and demonstrations of Revolutionary War era sailors, civilians, and soldiers for this program. This program is $10/person.
This program includes:
- A tour of the museum, including changing annual exhibits. 45-60 mins.
- a living history demonstration by a costumed reenactor depicting a Revolutionary War soldier and/or sailor. 60-90 mins.
- a primary source analysis workshop with facsimiles of 18th century documents from Ulster County. Students work in teams to analyze primary sources, then share their findings with the rest of the class. 45-60 mins.
Students will be given some Revolutionary War context during the program, but should have a base knowledge of the general history of the war, as this program focuses more on local history.
Reenactment programs are flexible and in the past have included demonstrations of 18th century boat building techniques, 18th century military life and musket firings, and presentations on the Burning of Kingston.
Recommended Grade Level: 4th -12th grade
To book this tour please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
$10 TRANSPORTING THE HUDSON VALLEY - GRADES 1-5
Transporting the Hudson Valley is a program that discusses industrial shipping in the Hudson Valley, including tugboats, barges and canals, steamboats, passenger steamers, and more. This program is $10/person.
This program includes:
Recommended Grade Level: 1st-5th grade
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
In-Class Activities
Before participating in this program, please watch the 1938 educational film "Boats!" Students can follow along with Nancy and Roger as they explore the Hudson River Day Line steamboat the Alexander Hamilton and see the different types of boats that travel the Hudson River on their way south from Albany to New York City.
Download an activity sheet (and the answer key) your students can do as they watch the short film.
This program includes:
- A guided tour of the museum, focusing on the Hudson River Day Line, D&H Canal, and Hudson River tugboats, including the Cornell Steamboat Company. 45-60 mins.
- A hands-on game with our newly revamped steamboat playground behind the museum, including steering, loading and unloading goods, and operating the walking beam steam "engine" in order to reach a destination. 45-60 mins.
- A visit to Mathilda, our dry-docked, 1898 steam tugboat. 15-20 mins.
Recommended Grade Level: 1st-5th grade
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
In-Class Activities
Before participating in this program, please watch the 1938 educational film "Boats!" Students can follow along with Nancy and Roger as they explore the Hudson River Day Line steamboat the Alexander Hamilton and see the different types of boats that travel the Hudson River on their way south from Albany to New York City.
Download an activity sheet (and the answer key) your students can do as they watch the short film.
$10 the clean, green hudson - grades 3-12
The Clean, Green Hudson is a program which explores the ecology, pollutive industries, and recovery of the Hudson River. This program is $10/person.
This program includes:
Recommended Grade Level: 3rd-12th grade
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
In-Class Activities
After your visit, browse HRMM's oral history archive. Have each student choose an interviewee and have them listen to a section of interview. Then download our analysis activity sheet.
This program includes:
- A guided tour of the museum focusing on the Hudson’s ecology and pollutive industries, including a short film overview of the Hudson River.
- A guided walking tour around the Rondout district to learn about how nature reclaims historic spaces, including Island Dock, the Newark Cement Company, and the Rondout barge graveyard. Students will analyze historic images to compare with modern views.
- Oral history workshop where students listen to and analyze oral histories and then interview each other with digital recorders.
Recommended Grade Level: 3rd-12th grade
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
In-Class Activities
After your visit, browse HRMM's oral history archive. Have each student choose an interviewee and have them listen to a section of interview. Then download our analysis activity sheet.
$14 *NEW* TRANSPORTING THE HUDSON VALLEY WITH THE TROLLEY MUSEUM OF NEW YORK - all grades
The Hudson River Maritime Museum and the Trolley Museum of New York are proud to announce a new school tour!
Transporting the Hudson Valley with the Trolley Museum of New York focuses on shipping industries in the Hudson Valley including tugboats, steamboats, barges and canals and trolleys.
This program is $14/person and requires a 20 student minimum or 40 student maximum.
This program includes:
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
Transporting the Hudson Valley with the Trolley Museum of New York focuses on shipping industries in the Hudson Valley including tugboats, steamboats, barges and canals and trolleys.
This program is $14/person and requires a 20 student minimum or 40 student maximum.
This program includes:
- A guided tour of the museum, focusing on the Hudson River Day Line, D&H Canal, and Hudson River tugboats, including the Cornell Steamboat Company. 45 mins
- A visit to Mathilda, our dry docked, 1898 steam tugboat. 15 mins
- Semaphore Flag Game - Students will learn about semaphore flags, including their use and what each flag movement means. Students will then get to use semaphore flags in a spelling game. 30 mins
- Guided trolley tour and lunch at Kingston Point Park (lunch is not provided, please bring your own bagged lunch). 60 mins
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
$20 HUDSON RIVER CRUISES AND HRMM SCHOOL TOUR - ALL grades
This tour allows you and your students to learn about the Hudson River and also experience the river onboard the Rip Van Winkle. Cruises are available Tuesday - Friday, May - June and September - October.
This program is $20/person and requires a minimum of 45 students. The maximum is 120 students.
This program includes:
For more tour options offered by Hudson River Cruises click here.
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
This program is $20/person and requires a minimum of 45 students. The maximum is 120 students.
This program includes:
- Narrated tour of the Hudson River aboard the Rip Van Winkle. 90 mins
- Guided tour of the Hudson River Maritime Museum. 45 mins
For more tour options offered by Hudson River Cruises click here.
To book this tour, please contact us at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
$20 HUDSON RIVER STEWARDs: District wide PROGRAM (FIELD TRIP ONLY) - 4TH GRADE
Hudson River Stewards is a district-wide program that serves almost 800 4th grade students each year and continues to grow! By partnering with Clearwater, Onrust, and the musically talented Linda Richards, we provided students with a once in a life-time experience of learning about primary and secondary sources, museum tours, live music, geography puzzle, environmental science station, and boat deck tours.
This program is $20/person and operates from February - May.
This program includes:
This program can accommodate a minimum of 70 students and a maximum of 125 students per day for the field trip portion.
For an in-depth analysis of the 2015 pilot program, please read our Hudson River Stewards Report.
For questions and/or to book this program for your school district, please contact Education Coordinator Tashae Smith at education@hrmm.org or 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
This program is $20/person and operates from February - May.
This program includes:
- Optional: In-class document analysis lesson plan. DOES NOT INCLUDE visit from museum staff.
- 8 rotating activity stations, including live music, boat tours and more!
This program can accommodate a minimum of 70 students and a maximum of 125 students per day for the field trip portion.
For an in-depth analysis of the 2015 pilot program, please read our Hudson River Stewards Report.
For questions and/or to book this program for your school district, please contact Education Coordinator Tashae Smith at education@hrmm.org or 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
$28 HUDSON RIVER STEWARDS: District wide program (IN-CLASS DOCUMENT ANALYSIS & FIELD TRIP) - 4TH GRADE
Hudson River Stewards is a district-wide program that serves almost 800 4th grade students each year and continues to grow! By partnering with Clearwater, Onrust, and the musically talented Linda Richards, we provided students with a once in a life-time experience of learning about primary and secondary sources, museum tours, live music, geography puzzle, environmental science station, and boat deck tours.
This program is $28/person and operates from February - May.
This program includes:
This program can accommodate a minimum of 70 students and a maximum of 125 students per day for the field trip portion.
For an in-depth analysis of the 2015 pilot program, please read our Hudson River Stewards Report.
For questions and/or to book this program for your school district, please contact Education Coordinator Tashae Smith at education@hrmm.org or 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
This program is $28/person and operates from February - May.
This program includes:
- Learning about primary and secondary sources through a hands on in-class document analysis workshop operated by museum staff.
- 8 rotating activity stations, including live music, boat tours and more!
This program can accommodate a minimum of 70 students and a maximum of 125 students per day for the field trip portion.
For an in-depth analysis of the 2015 pilot program, please read our Hudson River Stewards Report.
For questions and/or to book this program for your school district, please contact Education Coordinator Tashae Smith at education@hrmm.org or 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
Field Trip Details
The museum is open YEAR-ROUND and will accommodate winter field trips as well as in-class programs.
All students attending on the same day must do the same activities, for scheduling and staffing purposes.
One adult per 10 students receives free admission (this includes teachers). One-on-one aides, school nurses, and teaching assistants always receive free admission.
We can accommodate up to 4 classes or groups per day, with a maximum of 30 students in each class. Programs may start as early as 9 am and end as late as 5 pm.
Students are welcome to bring their own lunch. Please leave lunches on the bus or pack in totes to leave in a designated area. The museum yard has many creekside benches as well as a gazebo and covered picnic area. Indoor eating space may be arranged in the event of rain.
$50 deposit is required to hold your date and is due upon receipt of your invoice. This deposit will be subtracted from your total cost. The remainder of your payment is due the day of your visit. Please arrange to have one check or credit/debit card payment per group. Cash is accepted, but not preferred. HRMM accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
Spring dates, especially late May and June, fill up fast, so make your reservation today by contacting Education Coordinator Paul Daley at education@hrmm.org or by calling 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
Cancellation
Most HRMM programs take place rain or shine. Trips may be cancelled up to two weeks before the scheduled date with no penalty. Trips cancelled with less than two weeks’ notice or with no notice will forfeit the deposit. Trips may be rescheduled up to one week before the original date of visit with no penalty. Cancellations due to extreme weather with NOAA-issued no travel warnings are exempted from penalty. Programs with a large outdoor component may have one rain date built in ahead of time with no penalty.
The museum is open YEAR-ROUND and will accommodate winter field trips as well as in-class programs.
All students attending on the same day must do the same activities, for scheduling and staffing purposes.
One adult per 10 students receives free admission (this includes teachers). One-on-one aides, school nurses, and teaching assistants always receive free admission.
We can accommodate up to 4 classes or groups per day, with a maximum of 30 students in each class. Programs may start as early as 9 am and end as late as 5 pm.
Students are welcome to bring their own lunch. Please leave lunches on the bus or pack in totes to leave in a designated area. The museum yard has many creekside benches as well as a gazebo and covered picnic area. Indoor eating space may be arranged in the event of rain.
$50 deposit is required to hold your date and is due upon receipt of your invoice. This deposit will be subtracted from your total cost. The remainder of your payment is due the day of your visit. Please arrange to have one check or credit/debit card payment per group. Cash is accepted, but not preferred. HRMM accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
Spring dates, especially late May and June, fill up fast, so make your reservation today by contacting Education Coordinator Paul Daley at education@hrmm.org or by calling 845-338-0071 ext. 11.
Cancellation
Most HRMM programs take place rain or shine. Trips may be cancelled up to two weeks before the scheduled date with no penalty. Trips cancelled with less than two weeks’ notice or with no notice will forfeit the deposit. Trips may be rescheduled up to one week before the original date of visit with no penalty. Cancellations due to extreme weather with NOAA-issued no travel warnings are exempted from penalty. Programs with a large outdoor component may have one rain date built in ahead of time with no penalty.