Washington Heritage Museums proudly offers tours for schoolchildren at each of its museums. Classes may tour one, two, or all three museums. We recommend touring all three for the best glimpse into Revolutionary-era Virginia. Each museum explores a different facet of the life of townspeople during that time including their home life, how they traveled and dined, and how they were cared for medically.
For more information, download the information packet below. Teachers and families may download an activity packet by visiting the “Youth Activities” section of this page.
Click here to learn more about each museum's accessibility. Please allow at least 45 minutes per museum for a group tour to allow time for students to enter the building, enjoy the guided tour, ask questions, and then board the bus.
Applicable Virginia SOL: VS.4b, e, f, VS. 5b, US1.1, US1.5, US1.6
Science SOL: 4.8a and b
How did 18th-century medicine shape the lives of early Americans, and what can we learn from the practices of a Revolutionary War doctor?
On this exciting tour, students will step back in time and uncover the secrets of colonial healthcare. They’ll dive into the life of Dr. Hugh Mercer—a Revolutionary War hero and skilled doctor—and see strange and surprising remedies used to treat patients in early America. From rare herbs to leeches and curious tools, this guided tour brings history and science together in a way that sparks imagination and curiosity. Students will experience dramatic demonstrations, hear captivating stories, and investigate how medicine has changed over time. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that blends learning and fun.
Demonstration materials presented at this museum may be too graphic, unsettling, or complex for younger children. The tour can be adjusted and shortened for grades K-3. We request that teachers take the tour prior to booking to ascertain its suitability for their class.
Applicable Virginia SOL: VS. 1c, VS.2, VS.4a and f, VS.5b, VS.6, USI.1, USI.5c, US1.6
What stories can an early American tavern tell us about politics, travel, and daily life in a new nation?
Originally built by George Washington’s youngest brother, this museum of tavern life now offers students a glimpse into a new nation through the eyes of travelers, townspeople, and tavernkeepers. Young visitors will journey through time as they hear fascinating tales of daily life and explore how taverns served as the social hotspots of their time. Along the way, they’ll uncover the roles taverns played in news-sharing, community building, and the spirit following the Revolutionary War, all while practicing observation, critical thinking, and respectful citizenship.
Applicable Virginia SOL: VS. 1b, VS. 4a, b and f VS. 5b, VS. 6, US1.1, US1.4 c and d, US1.5 b and c, US1.6
Science SOL: K.9b, 2.4b, 2.7a, 4.8a and b,
What can we learn about the American Revolution and early American life by walking in the footsteps of George Washington’s mother, Mary?
A tour of the Mary Washington House invites participants to explore a variety of sources including historical artifacts, primary and secondary sources, and maps. Students will understand life in colonial Virginia and make connections with their own modern-day experiences as they practice skills to decode the world around them. Through inquiry-based experiences, students will develop critical thinking, analyze cause-and-effect relationships, compare key ideas, and organize information with clarity. Notions of economic decision-making and responsible citizenship are discussed in a guided tour, empowering every participant to learn history and social-science concepts through content, vocabulary, and collaborative learning.
Youth Activities
Please visit our calendar page for events geared towards learners of all ages, including youth.
Activity Downloads
Parents and teachers are encouraged to download these worksheets for their student(s) to reinforce the information received during the tour.
Rules of Civility
In the 1740s, at the age of about 14, George Washington copied by hand 110 Rules of Civility in his schoolbook, likely as an assignment in penmanship. Having originated in France in the late sixteenth century, these guidelines for proper behavior and manners were widely circulated during Washington’s time. In colonial America, a person’s refined presence expressed their virtue, honor, and overall worthiness. While the gentry (the upper class of the colonial society) achieved refinement by birth and upbringing, those of lower means could move upward in society if they emulated their superiors’ genteel appearance and customs. As a “rising gentleman,” George Washington learned the standards of proper behavior from literature and etiquette guides such as these rules. Follow the link below to read them and access a workbook with activities for children. Do you think these guidelines are still relevant today?