Education

Fourth grader participate in art activity in front of the "Standing Lincoln"

NPS/N. Rose

Make the park your classroom

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park supports educators of all levels and provides educational experiences for students of all ages. The park's unique cultural and natural resources compliments a wide range of curriculums and subjects. Park rangers and educators leverage the power of place to make learning relevant, engaging, and fun.

Education programs at the park are free and available based on park staffing and resources. Park entry fees are waived to groups that can demonstrate eligibility, relevance of park resources or facilities to academic program, and academic purpose. A limited amount of transportation grants are provided each year. Informal learning groups including civic organizations, scouts, garden clubs, and bus tours usually do not qualify for formal education programs, but the park can support organizing a group visit and may provide special programming based on staffing and resources.

All education programs must be scheduled in advance by contacting [e-mail]

 

Fall 2025 Field Trip Offerings

Scheduling is first-come, first-served. Schools must provide adequate adult supervision and support.

 

Augustus Saint-Gaudens and sculpture assistants in front of the Sherman Monument

The People and the Process

Target Level: Grade 4 (can be modified for other elementary grade levels)
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Capacity: 25 students
Availability: Thursday and Friday mornings through October 31, 2025
Description: This STEAM-based hands-on experience explores the teamwork behind creating Augustus Saint-Gaudens' scultures by uncovering the often overlooked role of his female models and sculpting assistants. Students hear stories about several of the sculptures at the park and learn about the physical process of creating a bronze sculpture. Afterwards, students parallel the process by creating their own sculptures in groups from sketch to armature to sculpture. Upon completion, park rangers will issue students (4th graders only) individual Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) passes allowing free entry for their families to any national park through August 31, 2026.

This field trip opportunity was made possible by the Dorothy C. Radgowski Learning Through Women’s Achievement in the Arts Grant Program from Historic Artists' Homes & Students, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

 

Write-Out at Your National Park for the Arts

Target Level: Grade 7 to 12
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Capacity: 50 students
Availability: Monday, Thursday, and Friday mornings in October 2025.
Description: This immersive writing experience allows students to experiment with writing in a new and unique environment. Inspired by the National Writing Project’s “Write-Out” initiative, this writing program will engage students with the environment and sculpture to find new sources of creativity and inspiration. Students will rotate through different areas of the park, using a variety of writing prompts to practice and develop their skills in creative writing, observation, poetry, journaling, and much more.

 

Salamander Exploration

Target Level: Pre-K to Grade 8
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Capacity: 30 students
Availability: Mondays and Fridays through October 31, 2025.
Description: Be a scientist for a day! Students will collect data on salamanders to add to a nation-wide community science database. Park staff can visit classrooms before the field trip to talk to the students about salamander habitats, life cycles, and their role as bioindicators. At the park, students will explore how different forest habitats impact salamander populations. Upon completion, park rangers will issue students (4th graders only) individual Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) passes allowing free entry for their families to any national park through August 31, 2026.

 

Homeschool Adventure Day

Date: Monday, October 6
Target Level: Homeschooled youth up to age 18
Description: Calling all homeschoolers and their families! The park will provide special programming throughout the day to support learning. Registration is now open.

 

Custom Offerings and Teacher-Led Field Trips

There are endless possible ways to connect the park and your classroom. Have an idea? Reach out to [e-mail] and a ranger will follow up to explore your options. While the park may have limited capacity to accommodate custom field trips, the park supports teacher-led field trips by assisting with Academic Fee Waiver applications, helping plan a visit, organizing free educator pre-visits, and providing a short introduction to students.