School Field Trips

BIG History Lessons is our most in-depth educational program — a multi-day interdisciplinary study that transforms the Meridian Historical Village into a living classroom.

Developed by a Michigan Teacher of the Year

This program was created by Margaret Holtschlag, Michigan Teacher of the Year for 1999-2000. Margaret designed BIG History Lessons to integrate history with science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies, giving students a rich, cross-curricular experience rooted in real places and real stories.

Program Structure

BIG History Lessons runs over multiple days, up to a full school week. Each day focuses on different themes and buildings within the Village, building a layered understanding of Michigan history and pioneer life.

Students engage with primary sources, hands-on activities, and guided exploration across the Village grounds.

Staff Demonstrations

Enhance the experience with live demonstrations by Village staff:

• Butter churning
• Candle making
• Textile arts
• Blacksmithing techniques
• Period cooking

Staff demonstrations are available at an additional cost of $1.50 per student per activity.

Pricing

Booking Requirements

BIG History Lessons requires significant coordination between your school and our staff. Please plan ahead:

• Advance notice: Minimum 4 weeks required
• Scheduling: Call 517-347-7300 to begin planning
• Curriculum alignment: We work with your teachers to align activities with your learning objectives

This program is ideal for 3rd through 6th grade classrooms studying Michigan history, westward expansion, or pioneer life.

Step back in time to a one-room schoolhouse where students of all ages learned together under a single teacher. The One Room Schoolhouse Experience immerses your students in 19th-century education methods right inside the historic Randall Schoolhouse.

Program Overview

A teacher in period-appropriate role leads your students through an authentic 19th-century school day. Students sit at antique desks and participate in lessons drawn from the same materials used over a century ago.

What Students Use

• McGuffey Readers — The standard reading textbooks used in American schools throughout the 1800s
• Slates and slate pencils — Individual writing surfaces that preceded paper notebooks
• Period teaching methods — Recitation, penmanship drills, and moral instruction in the style of the era

Details

• Duration: Up to 3 hours
• Cost: $2.50 per participant
• Location: Randall Schoolhouse (capacity 30)

Combine with the Village Sampler

For a full-day field trip, pair the One Room Schoolhouse Experience with the Village Sampler tour. Students get the focused classroom experience plus hands-on activities across three additional buildings. Ask about combination pricing when you book.

Book Your Visit

Call us at 517-347-7300 to schedule. We recommend booking at least two weeks in advance.

The Village Sampler is our most popular school field trip program, giving students a vivid introduction to 19th-century Michigan life through three of our historic buildings.

What Students Experience

Students rotate through three buildings during the tour, with guided activities at each stop:

• Randall Schoolhouse — Experience a lesson the way students did over 100 years ago, using slates and slate pencils
• Grettenberger Farmhouse — Explore daily life on a Michigan homestead and learn about period cooking and household tasks
• Tollgate House — Discover how early roads were built and maintained, and the role of tollgate keepers in the community

Hands-On Activities

The Village Sampler is built around learning by doing:

• Butter making — Students churn cream into butter using period equipment
• Slate writing — Practice penmanship on individual slates, just as 19th-century students did

Pricing and Logistics

• Maximum group size: 64 participants (2-hour option)
• Teachers and chaperones: Complimentary
• Advance booking: Please call at least 2 weeks ahead

Combine with Other Programs

The Village Sampler pairs well with the One Room Schoolhouse program for a full-day field trip experience. Ask about combination pricing when you book.

Book Your Trip

Call us at 517-347-7300 to schedule your visit. We recommend booking at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.