Historic Field Trips

State Educational Standards

All On-Site Programs address various Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies based on lessons selected or sites visited. View the specific standards addressed under each lesson description or the GMA Education Standards document.

Program Types

The GMA offers a variety of programming options to suit different needs of educators. Review the available programs to determine what works best for your group.

• On-Site Programs: Spend a day at the GMA as students explore the history of agriculture and rural life in South Georgia at the turn of the 19th century.  
• Virtual Programs: GMA staff provide live, online learning straight into your classroom!
• Outreach Programs: Bring the GMA to your classroom! Our staff provide educational programs for in-classroom experiences focused on various historical topics relevant to Wiregrass Georgia. 

Self-Guided Tour

The Self-Guided Tour allows groups to explore the Museum at their own pace while learning how people lived and worked in a rural Georgia Wiregrass community during the last century.

Details

• Groups tour the GMA at their own pace with group leaders (usually teachers) provided by the school
• Tours include costumed interpreters providing interactive experiences and demonstrations
• Programming is available from 9:30-2:30, depending upon group’s arrival & departure times
• Tours are $5 per student
• For $7 per student, the Museum can create a custom itinerary for your group’s visit
• Teachers, bus drivers, and group leaders (number provided by the Museum) do not pay Museum admission
• All other adults must pay general Museum admission upon arrival ($7.00 + tax)

Visit to the Past Workshop

To ensure the health and safety of guests and employees, the Visit to the Past Workshop is unavailable until further notice due to COVID-19. Please select one of our other programs to experience the Museum during this time. 
Take your students on a trip back in time with our Visit to the Past Workshop featuring a provided itinerary, costumes and home-cooked lunch!

Details

• Costumes provided for students (suspenders/ skirts & aprons)
• Authentic farmhouse cooked lunch 
• Itinerary of visits to sites with costumed interpreters providing interactive activities
• Programming is available from 9:30-2:30, depending upon group’s arrival & departure times
• Visit to the Past Workshops are $15 per student
• Teachers, bus drivers, and group leaders (number provided by the Museum) do not pay Museum admission
• All other adults must pay general Museum admission upon arrival ($7.00 + tax)

Vulcan Steam Train

Built in 1917, this functional steam engine can be a wonderful addition to your group’s experience at the Museum. The train is not included with historic field trip programs. For an additional fee, groups can enjoy this full display of steam and transportation technology firsthand. 

Details

• Please book no later than two weeks prior to your visit to ensure availability.
• Train rides may be reserved when you submit an online field trip reservation request.
• For groups with 60 or less riders, the cost is $250. 
• For groups with 61 or more riders, the cost is $4.00/person. 

Guided Live-Streaming Lessons

Visit the Museum virtually through Guided Live-Streaming Lessons!

Details

• Each lesson is 30-minutes with time available for questions.
• Available for up to four classrooms at one time.
• Groups can select one lesson from the list below.
• Lessons are delivered virtually using Google Meet.
• GMA staff will email worksheets and additional resources for your selected program(s) prior to your scheduled date.
• Recording GMA virtual programs is prohibited.
• Guided Live-Streaming Lessons are $45 per lesson for up to four classrooms. 

Lessons

• 19th Century Inventions: Learn about inventors of the 19th century and discover how inventions of the past still impact society today. Through the eyes of an inventor, students will then identify a modern issue and create their own invention to solve the problem. This program addresses the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies: SSKH3, SS4E1.f, SS5H1, SSUSH11.c.
• Reconstruction in Georgia: The Civil War drastically changed the lives of all citizens in Georgia. Learn more about the lasting effects of these changes during the period known as Reconstruction. Join a Museum interpreter and visit sites virtually to learn about changes in the cotton industry at the Cotton Gin and discover more about Jim Crow laws at the Train Depot. Students will also explore government involvement, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments in the Law Office. This program addresses the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies: SS4H6 and SS4H5.
• Pricing the Past: How good are you at shopping on a budget? Use wages from a 19th century profession to buy goods from the Rolling Store. Learn about budgeting, saving, buying on credit and more financial literacy topics. This program addresses the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies:SSKE2; SSKE3; SSKE4; SSKH3; SS1E1; SS1E4; SS2E1; SS2E3; SS2E4; SS3E3.d; SS4E2; SS5E4; SS6E13.a, b, c; SS7E10.a, b, c; SSPFL2.b, c.

Museum Led Classroom Programs

Bring the Museum to your classroom! GMA offers educational programs for in-classroom experiences focused on Georgia’s rural and agricultural history.

Details

• Teachers can select one lesson from below to be taught by GMA staff in their classroom.
• Each lesson is 30-minutes with time available for questions.
• Museum Led Classroom Programs are designed for up to 30 students per lesson.
• Single classroom visits are $210 + mileage to/from the school ($0.58/mile).
• Each additional presentation is $50 on the same day and must be the same topic. Museum staff can visit up to four classrooms (120 students) in one day.

Lessons

• 19th Century Inventions: Learn about inventors of the 19th century and discover how inventions of the past still impact society today. Through the eyes of an inventor, students will then identify a modern issue and create their own invention to solve the problem. This program addresses the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies: SSKH3, SS4E1.f, SS5H1, SSUSH11.c.
• Pricing the Past: How good are you at shopping on a budget? Use wages from a 19th century profession to buy goods from the Rolling Store. Learn about budgeting, saving, buying on credit and more financial literacy topics. This program addresses the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies:SSKE2; SSKE3; SSKE4; SSKH3; SS1E1; SS1E4; SS2E1; SS2E3; SS2E4; SS3E3.d; SS4E2; SS5E4; SS6E13.a, b, c; SS7E10.a, b, c; SSPFL2.b, c.