In-Person Field Trips

We are accepting Field Trip reservations for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 

Museum Field Trips

Our museum programs accommodate Kindergarten through 12th grade, with some designed for specific grade levels. All programs follow California Curriculum Standards. Programs range from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.

To book your field trip, just download and complete our FIELD TRIP REQUEST FORM here. You can type directly into the Word Document.

Then return it to the Education Department as a Word document or PDF, SHM-Education@sachistorymuseum.org . Questions? Email the Education Department or call at 916.808.6896.

 

If you are a Tour Company looking to book with us, complete our REQUEST FORM FOR TOUR GROUPS

 

General Information about our Museum Field Trips:

  • Our Museum Programs are available 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Programs are scheduled on the hour and half-hour. If you need a weekend day, please email the Education Department at SHM-Education@sachistorymuseum.org to check availability.
  • Museum Programs are available for school groups, homeschool, and other student groups outside of schools (Scout groups and 4-H, for example).
  • The Museum charges by how many students participate in EACH selected program.
  • The Program fee includes teacher/staff member, and one chaperone/ adult per 8 students. Additional adults will be charged a fee.
  • The Program fee does not include Museum admission or access to the Museum for self-guided tours. The Museum cannot accommodate self-guided exploration by school groups before or after your scheduled field trip. Our galleries are small, usually in use by other school groups, and served by staffing levels matched to meet each scheduled school group’s needs.
  • Program fees are listed below and are based on Program length – 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 1.5 hours.
  • We require a minimum of 10 students per Tour. Each Program has a maximum number of people (students and adults). If your group exceeds the maximum for the program, the group will just be divided into smaller groups to accommodate the maximum number. If the group is divided into smaller groups, this may add time to your overall schedule, please email the Education Department  at SHM-Education@sachistorymuseum.org  if you have questions.  The program fee is based on the total number of people, not number of groups.

 

Available For All Grade Levels

 

Museum Scavenger Hunt (1 Hour)

The Museum is full of objects and images about Sacramento’s history. Students discover them and Sacramento’s rich history on the Scavenger Hunt. The Scavenger Hunt booklet becomes a memento of their visit. This program can accommodate up to 35 people (students and adults) per time slot.

 

Old Sacramento Scavenger Hunt (1 Hour)

Follow the clues to discover the Old Sacramento Historic District! On this scavenger hunt, students work in teams (preferably in chaperone groups led by an adult) to find important landmarks revealing the city’s history and development. Our docents outfit the teams and help with questions. This program can accommodate up to 50 people (students and adults) per time slot.

 

Gold Panning (Half-Hour)

Enjoy 30 minutes of pure gold! Students stake their claim on the “American River” and pan for precious metals, minerals, and real gold in front of the Sacramento History. Each student receives a plastic vial to take home hard-earned treasure. This program can accommodate up to 50 students per time slot.

*Gold Panning is for students only*

 

Historic Print Shop (Half-Hour)

Long before computers and smart phones, the power of the printing press informed the world. Join our world-famous print shop for a demonstration of presses more than a century old. Our docent prints a special memento for the teacher during the demonstration. This program can accommodate up to 35 people (students and adults) per time slot.

 

Available For Grades 1 and 2

History Mystery (1 Hour)

A mysterious treasure chest awaits your students – who owned the items inside? Students piece together the life of May Woolsey, a Sacramento child from the 19th Century, using clues from a travel trunk hidden nearly 150 years. How did May’s life compare with students’ lives today? This program can accommodate up to 35 people (students and adults) per time slot.

 

Available For Grades 3 and Above

Old Sacramento Underground Tour (1 Hour)

Witness Sacramento’s astonishing effort to save the city from devastating floods in the 1850s and 1860s! Students uncover evidence of the city’s successful attempts to raise its streets and historic buildings, which created underground spaces and sidewalks. This program can accommodate up to 25 people (students and adults) per time slot.

*This program is for 3rd grade and above ONLY. If your group has a mixture of grade levels, younger students will participate in a different program suited to their curriculum*

 

Old City Cemetery Tour* (1.5 Hour)

Sacramento’s history is written on the Old City Cemetery’s tombstones. Students learn the cemetery’s history, the meaning of the carved Victorian symbols on gravesites, and some of the famous people buried here. This program can accommodate up to 35 people (students and adults) per time slot.

*The Tour meets at the Cemetery on 1000 Broadway near Riverside Boulevard in Sacramento. Check for available dates. *

 

Available For Grades 4 and Above

Gold Rush* (1.5 Hours)

“Gold! Gold! Gold from the American River!” Those words launched the largest human migration in modern history. Students learn how prospectors sought their fortunes during the California Gold Rush, and the many ways they looked for gold. This program can accommodate up to 35 people (students and adults) per time slot.

*This includes the Gold Panning and a shortened Print Shop visit. *

 

Heading West (1.5 Hours)

Why did thousands of people risk their lives on land and sea to reach the American West? Students learn the how and why of 1800s travel — then embark on their own journey. During our Heading West game, students must plan carefully together to reach California. The program includes a take-home memento for students. This program can accommodate up to 35 people (students and adults) per time slot.

 

Pricing

1.5-Hour Programs
Heading West and Gold Rush*

For 10-19 students, 1 teacher and 2 chaperones: $135
For 20-30 students, 1 teacher and 4 chaperones: $210
Additional students $7 each; additional chaperones $5 each

*Group size cannot exceed 35 people (students and adults) per program

 

Old City Cemetery Tour*

For 10-19 students, 1 teacher and 2 chaperones: $115
For 20-30 students, 1 teacher and 4 chaperones: $180 dollars:
Additional students $6 each; additional chaperones $5 each

*Group size cannot exceed 35 people (students and adults) per program

 

 

1-Hour Programs

History Mystery, * Old Sacramento Underground Tour † ,  Museum Scavenger Hunt*, and Old Sac Scavenger Hunt°

For 10-19 students, 1 teacher and 2 chaperones: $115
For 20-30 students, 1 teacher and 4 chaperones: $180 dollars:
Additional students $6 each; additional chaperones $5 each ($10 for the Underground Tour)

 

*Cannot exceed 35 people (students and adults) per program

†Underground Tour cannot exceed 25 people (students and adults) per program

°Old Sac Scavenger Hunt can have up to 50 students per program

 

30-Minute Programs

Gold Panning, Print Shop*

For 10-19 students, 1 teacher and 2 chaperones: $95
For 20-30 Students, 1 teacher and 4 chaperones: $150
Additional students $5 each; additional chaperones $5 each (No charge for Gold Panning; chaperones do not pan)

*Cannot exceed 35 people (students and adults) per program

 

To book your field trip, just download and complete our FIELD TRIP REQUEST FORM here. You can type directly into the Word Document.
Then return it to the Education Department as a Word document or PDF, SHM-Education@sachistorymuseum.org . Questions? Email Education Department or call at 916.808.6896.

 

Looking for list of programs we offer in at the Museum? START HERE

Looking for us to bring the Museum to your classroom? START HERE

Looking for our Scholarships? START HERE

Looking to book an educational program but you’re an adult group? START HERE

Are you a Tour Company looking to book at the Sacramento History Museum? Here is the REQUEST FORM FOR TOUR GROUPS