2023 Colonial Day at the Wilder Homestead
​Fifth Grade Field Trip

This year the Buckland Historical Society hosted 87 Fifth Graders from the Mohawk Trail Regional School District- Buckland, Shelburne, Colrain, Charlemont, Hawley, Heath, Ashfield and Plainfield.  The students worked with curriculum that helped answer the guiding questions:
-What was life here like at the beginning of our nation?
-To what extent was North America a land of opportunity, and for whom?

Goals of the Experience:

• Students learn from hands-on experiences from the time of colonization, glimpses of daily life of settlers and Indigenous peoples.
• Students learn about history, conflict and resilience…
• Students engage in activities on a historical homestead – with a 1775 Saltbox, Shoemaker Shop, and 1779 English Barn

The 5th Grade students arrived at the Wilder Homestead on May 31st and delved into the activities.

• Historical Perspectives from the Wigwam-Indigenous Life before settlers and a comparison of Indigenous and European worldviews.
• Games-hands on make and take, Q&A-Wampanoag Culture now and then
• Oxen Pulling, how did these animals help the Colonists
• Weaving on a Barn Loom-creating a rag rug
• Working on Table Looms-creating fabric
• Metal Working-hammering and forming a small copper bowl
• Fireplace Cookery-learning how to cook with the open fireplace in the Wilder Homestead
• Cross Stitching-looking at cross stitched Samplers from the period and making their own
• Butter Making-learning the process and creating it
• Marbling-the art of floating colored inks on water for decorative papers
• Colonial Games-active participation while learning the origin of games that have been passed down and altered

We had glorious weather and a good time was had by all!

​Funding from:
Charlemont-Hawley LCC
Shelburne LCC
Ashfield LCC
Heath LCC
Colrain LCC
Buckland LCC
Plainfield LCC
Shelburne Falls Community House Inc.

This program is funded in part by MCC a state agency that funds your community's local cultural council.
​ https://massculturalcouncil.org/.

Buckland Historical Society — Box 88 — Buckland, Massachusetts 01338 — (413) 625-9763 — Copyright © 2019