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Each year the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich hosts thousands of students and teachers at Bush-Holley House, the centerpiece of our beautiful historic site on Cos Cob Harbor. Our interactive, inquiry-based programs give students the opportunity to creatively explore topics and sharpen their critical thinking skills. Each experience is specially designed to complement classroom teaching while providing students and teachers a memorable day full of fun and discovery. Our programs cover topics such as colonial American history, the American Revolution, slavery in the North, the Industrial Age, and the development of American Impressionism. All programs meet state curriculum standards for both Connecticut and New York states. Please contact us at (203) 869-6899 to discuss how we can tailor our programs to meet your specific needs!
Life in Colonial New England
Recommended for grades K-2
Students experience how early New England colonists lived, worked and entertained themselves on an interactive tour of the c.1730 Bush-Holley House combined with a lively session of hands-on discovery featuring colonial costumes and games.
Sarah and Her Town
Recommended for grades 3-5
Students relive the dramatic events that shaped the lives of the members of the colonial Bush family in the Bush-Holley House. Using reproduction objects, students become history detectives to determine the identity of historic artifacts that Sarah Bush and her family likely used. Pre-visit activity booklet available online.
The Adventures and Persecutions of a Runaway Slave
Recommended for grades 4-6
Students witness the story of real-life slave Wallace Turnage brought to life during a dramatic performance by an actor-interpreter. The performance is followed by a discussion that illuminates the complex institution of slavery and the lives of those who were enslaved..
Patriots vs. Loyalists: The American Revolution
Recommended for grades 4-6
Cast in the role of loyalist or patriot, students debate the issues and events that led to the start of the American Revolution. They visit the
Bush-Holley House to learn how the Revolution affected the colonial Bush family. Then students participate in secret meetings using primary source documents to prepare an argument to support their position. The program concludes with a lively full class debate.
Create Your Own Impression
All Grades
Students are inspired by the beauty of Bush-Holley House and the surrounding landscape like many American Impressionist artists who
visited the site. They investigate the dynamics between art and history as they search for visual clues in the artwork to learn about life at the turn of-the-century.
Following a tour of the art colony rooms, students use paint, palette and canvas to create their own impressionist painting.
NEW! Meeting People in Portraits
All Grades
Students view and discuss the collection of portraits in the Bush-Holley House. Afterward they will identify artistic techniques and
characteristics including pose, expression, gesture and symbolic props to develop their interpretation of the individual. Students will then work in groups to write an interview involving one of the subjects. Available January through March 2009.
Exhibition Related Program
All Grades
Carved with Rasps and Chisels- September 24, 2008–January 11, 2009
Students will visit the exhibition of sculpture of Cos Cob resident Margaret Brassler Kane (1909–2006) and explore the collection of
sculptures including carved reliefs that depict political, social and technological events of the 20th century. Following the tour, students
will engage in age appropriate hands-on activities.
Schedule Your Visit Today
School programs are scheduled Tuesdays – Fridays starting at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Each program runs 1 ½ hours. Groups of up to 50 students can be accommodated at one time. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students. Program fees are $5 per student. Teachers and adult chaperones attend programs for free. To book one of our exciting programs, call (203) 869-6899.
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