Boston National Historical Park offers curriculum-based educational programs for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes. These programs are 90-120 minutes in length and are given at one of the Park sites along the Freedom Trail. In addition, several shorter educational activities are offered to supplement a class field trip or add on to one of the longer programs.  

Several of Boston National Historical Park's partner sites also offer education programs, and links to their pages with more detailed information are listed below.

All Boston National Historical Park programs are offered free of charge, but reservations are required. Program slots fill quickly so please make your reservation as far in advance as possible.

To make reservations for any of these programs, please call (617) 242-5689 between 8 a.m. and noon or Email Us.

Patriots of Color at the Battle of
Bunker Hill

- Grades 3 and 5, class size up to 35 students
- Offered Mondays and Wednesdays, April - June, 2011.
- 90 Minute Session

Although they did not enjoy the rights of their fellow colonists, over 100 African and Native Americans fought alongside their white neighbors at the Battle of Bunker Hill in defense of liberty. Using a tour, primary documents, paintings, and hands-on activities, students will learn about twelve Native and African Americans who fought at the battle.

Patriots of Color Lesson Plan
Patriots of Color Pre-Visit Materials

Twisted Strands: Simple Machines and Rope Making- Charlestown Navy Yard

- Grades 3, 4, and 5, class size up to 25 students
- Offered Tuesdays in May and June.
- 2 Hour Session

With the integration of science and history in Twisted Strands, the park provides special preparation materials for this program.

How much rope does a ship need? What simple machines help make rope? How did the Charlestown Navy Yard make rope for the entire U.S. Navy from 1800 to 1950s? Join a park ranger to explore 19th century rope making innovations at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Pre-visit materials will introduce students to the ropewalk operation and its role in making rope for the entire U.S. Navy. During their visit the students will make rope using simple machines and search for other simple machines on board the USS Cassin Young, a World War II destroyer ship.

Twisted Strands Pre-Visit Materials & Lesson Plan

Digging Up the Past

- Grades 3-8
- 30-60 minute activity session

Archaeology is the study of human history relying on non-written physical remains. For the Battle of Bunker Hill archaeology tries to add to and revise the written record. Not all actions in a battle are quickly recorded by participants nor are all details of the people involved known.  Scientific archaeology can add to this knowledge but not answer everything.

 "Digging Up the Past" uses archaeology in a box to help visitors and students learn about the archaeological techniques and tools and what an excavation can bring to the study of a battle such as Bunker Hill.

Mapping the Battle

- Grades 3-8
- 25-30 minute activity sessions

Students will use a large canvas map to learn about mapreading skills, geography, and the importance of topography. Through several interactive activities, students will gain a better understanding of the first major battle of the Revolutionary War, and the important role that geography has played in shaping our history.

Links to Education Programs at our Partner Sites

Old South Meeting House Schools & Group Tours

Old State House Group Tours and Programs

Paul Revere House School Programs

Old North Church School Programs

Constitution Museum Learning Adventures

Museum of African American History Education Programs