The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum and Carriage House invites teachers to introduce 19th Century New York City to students by taking advantage of the Education Program. As the last remaining country house in the Rodmans Neck area of the Bronx, Bartow-Pell with its richly crafted Greek Revival interiors and museum collection of furniture, paintings and the decorative arts, can be an away-from-the-classroom laboratory. Students learn about the people and lifestyle of 150 years ago in a historic house museum setting, guided by caring staff and interested trained volunteers.
All school tours are by advanced appointment, made a minimum of two weeks prior to the date requested. Click on the PDF Printable file for our school programs brochure and reservation information, or contact the education department at 718-885-1461 or send the education department an email.
School Education Programs
Family Life on a 19th Century Estate
(3rd Grade & up) Approx 90 mins.
90 minute on site visit of the 1840's mansion and carriage house once owned by Robert Bartow a paper manufacturer and book publisher as well as a farmer. He and his wife Maria Lorillard raised 7 children at the mansion. Students will discover what it was like to live on a country estate as a child of wealthy parents and as a young immigrant member of the Bartow's staff. There is an opportunity to discover artifacts and objects used by families of this time period and find out the answers to these questions: "What’s a Hygiene corner?" "Who emptied the chamber pots?" "Why was the dining room painted purple?" "Whose job was it to care for the horses and how old was he?" State Learning Standards: English Language Arts Standards 1; 3; 4, Social Studies Standards 1; 2; 3, Mathematics, Science and Technology Standards 5;7
19th Century In-School Program
(3rd Grade & up) 1 hour visit in classroom
(Limit 1 class per hour, 3 classes per visit)
Using primary source documents from the Bartow family, and the Bartow-Pell archives, students will learn and discover who lived at the mansion, how it was built, and what were some other occupations of the time period Students will also uncover why many of the servant staff were from Ireland by studying a transcript of the 1860 Federal Census for the Bartow household. In addition to using primary source materials students will also have the opportunity to handle and explore actual 19th century objects such as an iron, chamber pot, bathtub, and more. State Learning Standards: English Language Arts Standards 1; 3; 4, Social Studies Standards 1; 2, Mathematics, Science and Technology Standards 5
The Original Bronx Natives: Who Were They?
(3rd Grade & up) Approx. 90 mins outside
Using our authentic Woodlands Wigwam students learn about life as a Lenape Indian. An exploration of Lenape culture include food prep and storage, storytelling traditions, exploring food sources and walking the grounds to search for animals or animal tracks. Students also listen and dance to Lenape music and make cording from natural plant fibers. State Learning Standards: English Language Arts Standards 1; 3; 4, Social Studies Standards 1;2, Languages Other than English Standards 1; 2, The Arts Standards 1;4, Mathematics, Science and Technology Standards 4; 5; 7
19th Century Games and Toys
(3rd Grade & up) Approx. 90-120 mins outside
Come join our staff and learn to play traditional 19th Century Games, and with 19th Century Toys. This is a great way to spend those end of the school year days or those lazy summer camp days. Games: Croquet, Hopscotch, Toys: Game of Graces, Hoops, Make a 19th Century toy to take home. Stay and have lunch on the grounds.
School Education Program Materials
