Museum Name: National Colonial Farm
Schedule: The National Colonial Farm and Visitor Center are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am - 4pm
Established: 1958
Address: 3400 Bryan Point Rd, Accokeek, MD
Phone Number: 301-283-2113
Fax Number: 301-283-2049
Email: education@accokeek.org
Director: Wilton Corkern
Website: www.accokeek.org
Focus: Conservation,Environmental and Biological Education
Ages: All ages
Cost: Regular admission is $2.00 for adults and $0.50 for children ages 4 to 11
Notes: The National Colonial Farm, the Ecosystem Farm and a portion of Piscataway Park are stewarded by the Accokeek Foundation. Visit our website for more information: www.accokeek.org.

The National Colonial Farm, an outdoor living history museum, was established by the Accokeek Foundation in 1958. The farm depicts life for an ordinary tobacco planting family in Prince George's County in the 1770s. Historic sites like George Washington's home, Mount Vernon, represent what many believe life was like in the colonial period. However, large plantations were far from the norm. Very few colonists enjoyed such luxury. The majority were poorer planters, tenant farmers, indentured servants, and slaves.

Skilled interpreters lead tours of the National Colonial Farm, highlighting the colonial structures, fields, gardens and animals.

Class Trip Programs
The Accokeek Foundation offers school programs September through June. Programs are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. We request a donation of $3.50 per child to participate in the educational programs. These programs supplement social studies and environmental education in the classroom and include pre- and post-trip preparation and activities.

"Colonial Child," for 1st through 3rd grade, centers on the daily life of an 18th century middling sort farm child. Students experience the chores, food, clothing, and playtime on a middle class tobacco farm. This program introduces the strong connection between the people and the land. (60 students maximum, 2 hours).

"Tidewater Living History," for 4th through 8th grade, explores the development of the tidewater, from reasons for emigration to tobacco as an economic base. The tidewater's natural resources are evident as the primary shaper of colonial life. Students learn how actions and decisions made by people in the past have shaped the tidewater that we know today. (60 students maximum, 2 hours)

"Land and History," for 4th grade and older, explores how land has shaped people and people have shaped the land over time. This interdisciplinary program uses environmental science and history to compare and contrast agriculture in the 18th century with a modern organic ecosystem farm. It also shows how decisions made in the past are reflected in today's landscape. Students use critical thinking skills as they face how their own decisions affect the present and the future. (60 students maximum, 3½ hours)

These innovative programs meet content standards for school curriculum development in both Maryland and Virginia. For information about scheduling one of our school programs, please call 301.283.2113, ext. 28 or email education@accokeek.org.