Education Program 

Three houses. Three families. Three windows into the world that made America. The Webb Deane Stevens Museum offers curriculum-aligned school tour programs set within our National Historic Landmark campus in Wethersfield, Connecticut — one of the most intact 18th-century streetscapes in New England. Our age-specific programs are designed to spark genuine historical curiosity, connect students to Connecticut’s role in the founding era, and develop the kind of close looking and critical thinking that lasts well beyond the field trip.

AGE-APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS

Our guided tour programs are designed around the learning outcomes and developmental stages of your students, ensuring every visit is both age-appropriate and curriculum connected.

Grades 2-4

Focused on the Stevens and Webb Houses, this tour invites younger students to explore daily life in early America—from cooking and cleaning to the rhythms of an 18th-century household. An ideal introduction to material culture and hands-on historical thinking.

Grades 5-7

This tour examines the American Revolution through the personal stories of those who lived it: diplomat Silas Deane, the prominent Webb family, and the post-Revolutionary life of the Stevens family. Students leave with a richer understanding of how history is made by real people in real places.

Grades 8-12

Designed for older students ready to engage with complexity, this tour uses the three historic houses as a lens for examining the social, political, and economic forces that shaped the early republic. Topics include political discourse, early capitalism, slavery, and gender roles in Revolutionary-era New England.

Logistics

Each house accommodates a maximum of 20 students per tour group, with an ideal size of 12–15 students. For larger classes, daily visits are capped at 60 students. We recommend booking early to secure your preferred date and time.

Enhance your visit with one or more of the following options, available for an additional fee and subject to staff availability:

  • Lunch in the Waterman Room — Students can enjoy lunch on-site in our historic Waterman Room.
  • Curator’s “Show & Tell” — Key staff members lead an object-based exploration of items from our collection, helping students engage directly with material culture.
  • Textile Demonstration in the Webb Barn — With advance notice, we can offer a hands-on demonstration of historical cloth production in our original Webb Barn.

Add-ons are offered at the museum’s discretion and subject to availability. Please indicate your interest when booking.

To Book a School Visit Contact us at info@wdsmuseum.org or call 860-529-0612. Please provide the tour(s) you are interested in, number of students and adults, preferred date(s), and any add-ons you’d like to consider. 

questions?

For more information, please email info@wdsmuseum.org.

become a member

Members enjoy special perks at all levels. Additionally, your member dues help fund Museum programs for all ages.