Watkins Woolen Mill State Park & State Historical Site Educational Program offers a large variety of educational programs that can help bring history alive for your students. Programs can be formatted for all ages. If there is something that we can do for you that is not listed as a traditional program, please let us know.We are flexible and are here to serve you.

If you have any questions or to schedule any program listed below please call us at (816)580-3387 or contact us by e-mail at:

watkins.woolen.mill.state.historic.site@dnr.mo.gov.

Facility Amenities: There are several picnic areas available for use free of charge.  There is also one covered shelter house that can be rented for the day for a fee of $30.  To rent the shelter house please contact the park office at (816) 580-3387.  Restrooms are available at the visitor center.  A gift shop is available for souvenir purchase.

Industrial Revolution Outreach Program

      In this program interpreters dressed in 1870s period clothes travel to your classroom to provide a presentation on the industrial revolution.  A brief history of the industrial revolution is covered with the main focus being on the importance of woolen mills.  Three pre-industrial revolution activities are demonstrated for students with the activities consisting of hand carding of wool, spinning of wool on a spinning wheel, and weaving of fabric on a table top hand loom.  Students are allowed and encouraged to participate in hand carding and weaving.  Following each activity video footage is shown of machines from an operating historical woolen mill that perform the same tasks as the pre-industrial revolution methods.  This allows students to visually compare and contrast efficiency, productivity, and safety differences before the industrial revolution began and once it was well under way. 

 Length: 45 minutes – 1 hour

Supervision Requirements: 1 teacher or adult chaperone per classroom during program.

Grade Levels: 6th grade – College         
Fees:  No fee will be charged for outreach programs.

Seasons: 
Year Round: Available = S, M, Tu, W, Th, F, & Sa. 

Reservations: To make a reservation contact the site office at (816) 580-3387 or contact us via e-mail at watkins.woolen.mill.state.historic.site@dnr.mo.gov.

Living History Farm Program

      The Living History Farm Program offers students an opportunity to actively participate in activities that were commonplace in the 1870s.  Costumed interpreters will lead students through activities.  All activities will take place outside on the historic site grounds so students should dress appropriately.  Teachers can choose up to three activities of the following for students to participate in:

Cider Pressing (Seasonally: August – October, school responsible for providing apples, suggested 2-3 apples per student)

Cross Cut Sawing (work gloves suggested, due to safety precautions this activity is not recommended for elementary grade levels)

Fence Building  (work gloves suggested)

Gardening (Seasonal: April – September, work gloves suggested)

Hand Tools (work gloves suggested)

Laundry

Rag Rug Weaving

Victorian Clothing

Victorian Games

Wood Stove Cooking

*Please indicate which three activities you have selected when you make your reservation.

Length: 2 hours, Please arrive at the Visitor Center at least fifteen minutes before your program is scheduled to start.

Limits: Minimum = Group of 15                        Maximum: Group of 40

Supervision Requirements: 1 teacher or adult chaperone per 15 students.

Grade Levels: Preschool – College
         
Fees:  Under 6 = free; 6-12 = $.75 per student; 13 and over = $1.50 (including teachers & adult chaperones)

Seasons: 
April –October: Available = S, M, Tu, W, Th, F, & Sa.  Program can be scheduled for any two hour time block from10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March & November: Available = S, M, Tu, W, Th, F, & Sa.  Program can be scheduled for any two hour time block from10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

December – February: No programs will be scheduled.

Reservations: To make a reservation contact the site office at (816) 580-3387 or contact us via e-mail at watkins.woolen.mill.state.historic.site@dnr.mo.gov.

Woolen Mill and Watkins House Tours

      In addition to tours the site offers a twenty-five minute orientation film that is recommended for all ages. Also, a museum is located in the visitor center. There is no extra fee for watching the film or going through the museum, however an extra half-hour needs to be allotted for each of these activities.  If you are interested in either the video or museum please indicate your interest as well as your arrival time in the Additional Information Box when you make your reservation. 

Length: Mill and/or House = 2 hours (each building takes one hour to tour) or 1 hour if touring just one building (tour price the same for only touring one building).

• An additional half-hour each for the video and/or museum can be added.
• Mill & House are not heated or air-conditioned.
• Specify when making your reservation if your group wants to do the mill or house tour only.  The same fee structure will apply.
• Tours can be done in 1870s period clothes upon request.

Limits: Minimum = Group of 15                        Maximum: Group of 100

Supervision Requirements: 1 teacher or adult chaperone per 15 students.

Grade Levels: Mill & House = 4th grade – College,
House only = Preschool – College
Mill only = 4th grade - College

Fees:  Under 6 = free; 6-12 = $.75 per student; 13 and over = $1.50 (including teachers & adult chaperones)

Seasons: 
April –October: Available = S, M, Tu, W, Th, F, & Sa.  Program can be scheduled from10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

November - March: Available = S, M, Tu, W, Th, F, & Sa.  Program can be scheduled from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

December – February: Available = F, Sa, & Su.  Program can be scheduled from10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Tours not available M, Tu, We, or Th. 

Reservations: To make a reservation contact the site office at (816) 580-3387 or contact us via e-mail at watkins.woolen.mill.state.historic.site@dnr.mo.gov.

One-Room Schoolhouse Programs

     Reservations are required for this program. A costumed interpreter will conduct a two hour program at the schoolhouse, in which you will receive an introductory look at education of the 19th century. Students will go through a short lesson in several 19th century school subjects including history, reading, spelling, elocution, and arithmetic.

The Franklin Academy is not heated or air-conditioned. Please make plans and dress accordingly.

There is a teacher’s guide available for this program, and can be used to supplement your curriculum. To receive this guide, please contact Amanda Vansel at 816-580-3387 or watkins.woolen.mill.state.historic.site@dnr.mo.gov.

     The schoolhouse can also be used free of charge for teachers who wish to conduct their own programs. These programs must take place during normal business hours. If you wish to conduct this program yourself, please add this to the comments section when you are making your reservation. Arrangements must be made with staff to open and close the building, and for use of needed materials. The historic site has 40 sets of McGuffey’s Readers and 20 sets of Ray’s Arithmetic series that are available for use. These will be provided for use upon request.

Length: 1 Hour

Limits: Minimum = Group of 15                             Maximum = Group of 40

Supervision Requirements: 1 teacher or adult chaperone per 15 students

Grade Levels: 1-12

Fees: Under 6 = free; 6-12 = $.75 per student; 13 and over = $1.50 (including teachers & adult chaperones)

Seasons:
April – October:           Available = Su, M, Tu, W, Th, F, & Sa. Program can be scheduled for any one hour time block from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

March & November:   Available = S, M, Tu, W, Th, F, & Sa. Program can be scheduled for any one hour time block from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

December – February: No programs will be scheduled.

Reservations: To make a reservation contact the site office at (816) 580-3387 or contact us via e-mail at watkins.woolen.mill.state.historic.site@dnr.mo.gov.