Education Programs

The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s mission is dedicated to teaching the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries.  We do this through our immersive tours, hands on workshops, boat tours, and in-school presentations.

Program Topics

Pre-K and Early Childhood
 Boats, Boats, Boats!
We will explore the many different types of boats; rowboats, tugboats, sailboats, ferries, and so many more. Let us introduce different types of boats, boat parts, and then see if we can build one as a team!
The Little Red Lighthouse
Lighthouses flash bright lights and blast loud sounds! Learn why lighthouses need to be so bright and loud as we read about a very special lighthouse and then play the lighthouse game.
Grades K-2 (Ages 5-7)
Life on the River 
Take a trip through time as we explore the lives of children along the Hudson River from the 19th and 20th centuries. Using hands-on materials and oral histories before exploring the museum's exhibits and artifacts, students will be exposed to how families that lived in the Hudson Valley over 200 years ago used resources. There will be an opportunity for students to demonstrate in what ways our current lives are similar and different.
NYS STANDARDS: S.S. FRAMEWORK: K.2B,
K.7A, K8.B, 1.1A, 1.6A, 1.7C, 1.8A, 2.5B, 2.6B,
Traveling on the Hudson
This program explores two overarching questions. Why travel the Hudson River? And, how do we travel the Hudson River? The geographic location of the Hudson River is explored through maps, images, and models. We will then look at the types and functions of river boats over time as well as ecological changes made for travel. Finally, students will have fun speculating about some future ideas for traveling on the Hudson.
NYS STANDARDS: S.S PRACTICES KD.1,
Grade 1D.1, D.2, Grade 2 D.1, D.2, S.S
FRAMEWORK: K.6C, 1.5B, 2.5C, 2.5D
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
CULTURE, CLIMATE, AND FISHING
This program incorporates the museum's Commercial Fishermen’s Oral History Collection which consists of interviews with local commercial fishermen. Locations discussed range from New York City to Albany and time periods from the 1920s to the 1990s. The focus of this program is to use museum resources to identify and construct, as a group, an explanation as to why the current commercial fishing industry in the Hudson River is so very different than in the past.
NYS STANDARDS: S.S. FRAMEWORK: 3.4A&b, Speaking and listening standards; Comprehension and Collaboration.
Ingenious Industrialization?
The activities on the Hudson River in the early 19th century introduced new technology and industries to the whole county. We will explore the introduction of the steam engine, the use of clay, cement, and coal, as well as the mobilization of these products to the rest of the world. Through hands-on demonstrations and artifacts, we will look at the ecological impact of these advancements in our area of the state and make a plan for how the river should be used going forward.
NYS STANDARDS: S.S. FRAMEWORK: 3.10, 4.6, A. Gathering , interpreting, and using evidence.
Grades 4 Hudson River Stewards
This specially designed program includes both an in-school lesson and a field trip to the museum. The Hudson River Stewards program compliments and supports the Grade 4 curriculum of NY State and inspires students to make connections between the region’s history and their own behaviors. Our focus is on how we can learn from history to shape the future in New York State.

Our in-Class visit is a 45 minute presentation that will engage students in the practices of interpreting and using evidence and chronological reasoning and causation while making a “land use timeline”. Through visual and textual artifacts of different periods occurring in the same region of the Hudson River Valley, we will construct a time line as to when the different representations occurred. This activity demonstrates how historians ‘know what they know’ (artifacts, primary sources) and uses critical thinking to then place the evidence in chronological order.

The Field Trip days will occur at the museum and consist of five different learning stations. These include focused museum tours, a boat tour, dockside ecology lesson, and a climate action station. As ‘Stewards’ of the Hudson River and future leaders, students will pledge to incorporate behaviors that will benefit the ecological health of the region and preserve the river’s heritage.
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Solutions for a Changing Climate
At the museum we are proud of our two newest exhibits; Warning Signs: Climate Change in the Hudson Valley and A New Age of Sail: The History and Future of Sail Freight on the Hudson River. Both of these exhibits look at the impact of human activity along the river and how our everyday choices can determine our future climate. During this program, we will look critically at the information being presented and then work in teams to think of creative and necessary actions that we can take to be a part of the climate solution.
SOCIAL STUDIES PRACTICES; CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Indigenous Americans and the Early Explorers
As European explorers came up the Hudson, they encountered the many different groups of Native Americans living in the area. We will use evidence to explore what the interactions with the Indigenous Americans living here were like and what the resulting policies and impacts on the Hudson Valley were. This program looks at the maps, navigation tools, and the ways that
the European explorers travelled. We will even try our hand at cartography.
NYS STANDARDS: S.S. FRAMEWORK: 7.1, 7.2,
For information or to make reservations, email [email protected], or (845) 338-0071 ext 16.

Programs Available September - June 

Pre K and Early Childhood Programs
These are in-class (off site) programs designed for early childhood
learners.  Each program includes an exciting story and activity.
50 minute program
$200. Per class
Maximum of 20 children per class*
Guided Museum Tours
Explore all the museum has to offer with an
interpretive guide providing information and interesting facts.
60 Minute Tour
$10. Per person
Minimum of 10 and Maximum 20 per group*
1 Chaperone required for every 10 children
Additional Adults $10. each
Guided museum tour and interactive lesson
Museum professional leads a topic specific guided tour
and interactive lesson/activity.
50 Minute Program
$12. Per person
Minimum of 12 and Maximum of 20 per group
1 Chaperone required for every 10 children
Additional Adults $10. each*
Wooden Boat School
This is an introduction to our woodworking shop,
woodworking skills, and a chance to try your hand
at some basic practices. Contact us for details.
Grade 5+ or at least 11 years old
60 Minute program
$25. Per person
Minimum of 10 and Maximum 20 per group*
1 Chaperone required for every 10 children
Additional Adults $25. each
*If your group exceeds the maximum number, a second group will be made. ​

Programs Available May - October

Solaris Boat Tour and Museum Tour
Only Available Sept., Oct., May & June
This program covers a range of topics including the ecology,
Industrial, and marine history of the Rondout Creek and Hudson River.
2.5 hour program
$30. Per person  
Minimum of 10 and Maximum 20 per group
1 Chaperone required for every 10 children
Additional Adults $30. each
Lighthouse Tours also available – Please contact the Education Dept. for detail
.​Combination Tours with the NY Trolley Museum
Only Available Sept., Oct., May & June
These programs include a themed tour of the museum,
Guided trolley ride to Kingston Park.
2 hours
$20 per person
A Boat Tour can be added to this program
Minimum of 10 and Maximum 20 per group
1 Chaperone required for every 10 children
$40 per person ($20 additional from the above price)

Please contact Education Department for times and pricing.

Program Pricing

Pre K Early Childhood Off-Site Classes
$200 per class.

Guided Museum Tour
$10. Per person*

Museum Tour and Interactive Lesson
$12. Per person*

Museum Tour and Solaris Boat Ride
$30. Per person**

Traveling the Hudson- Museum and Trolley Ride
$20. Per person**

Traveling the Hudson – Museum, Trolley and Solaris Ride
$40. Per person**

Intro to Woodworking
$25. Per person. 

*Program allows for one chaperone per 10 students. Additional adults are $10 each
**Program allows for one chaperone per 10 students. Additional adults are charged the per person rate. 

Things To Know

  • These programs are for all public, private, and homeschool students, as well as scout and other youth groups
  • Reservations of at least two weeks in advance is required
  • All programs align with current NYS Learning Standards
  • Our professionally trained educators can customize programs for your group’s individual needs
  • One adult per 10 students receives free admission (this includes teachers). One-on-one aides, school nurses, and teaching assistants always receive free admission.​
  • 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 [email protected] or by calling 845-338-0071 ext. 16. 

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. 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.