Museum Name: Newton History Museum at The Jackson Homestead
Schedule: Tues-Fri, 11 am to 5 pm; Sat & Sun, 12 noon to 5 pm
Established: 1953
Address: 527 Washington Street , Newton MA
Phone Number: 617-796-1450
Fax Number: 617-552-7228
Email: museuminfo@newtonma.gov
Director: Cindy Stone
Website: www.newtonhistorymuseum.org
Focus: The Newton History Museum supports the inquiry and exploration of Newton within the broad context of American history. To accomplish this mission the museum maintains a collection and an historic property that interprets Newton 's past and present. The Museum collects, preserves and exhibits historical artifacts of local significance and presents public programs that involve the diverse population.
Ages: All
Costs: $5 adults, $3 senior/child; Newton residents: $2 adult, $1 senor/child; Members Free
Notes: The fee per program is $45.00 per group of up to 30 students. Programs are offered at no charge to groups from the Newton Public Schools

Major Exhibits
The Newton History Gallery:
Explore Newton 's history from its early habitation by Massachusett Indians through the end of the 19th century.

Hyphenated-Origins-Going Beyond the Labels:
This exhibit tells the stories of seven Newton high school students, whose families recently joined the community from China , Mexico , South Korea , Hong Kong, and Russia

Four-Legged Newton:
This family playspace looks at the connections betwen people and animals thoughout the history of Newton .

Exhibits for 06/07:
Remembering Norumbega: This exhibit takes a look back at the heyday of Norumbega Park and the Totem Pole Ballroom.

Class Trip Programs:
Abolition
Integrates well with studies of slavery, abolition, race relations, migration, and local history.

Songs and Stories of the Underground Railroad (Grades 1-3; 45 minutes)
Introduces young students to this important struggle for freedom. Students will: Explore the abolition activity of the Jackson family while learning new vocabulary; Hear stories of fugitives' escapes; Listen to code songs and learn one in American Sign Language; Try on a reproduction slave collar and climb into a model of a box in which a slave mailed himself to freedom.

Underground Railroad: Passage to Freedom (Grades 4-6; 60 minutes)
Using interactive techniques, students will: Recognize the importance of written and spoken words in helping fugitives escape and in preserving the history of their fight for freedom; Explore the abolition activity at the Homestead; Hear documented stories of fugitives' escapes; Try on a reproduction slave collar and climb into a model of a box in which a slave mailed himself to freedom; Listen to and interpret coe songs.

Abolition: Examining the Evidence (Grades 7-12)
Through the use of primary documents, older students distinguish among what is known, what can be inferred, and what may never be known about local abolition activity. Students will:Create their own impressions of the abolition activity at the Homestead through rare documents; Judge the power and problems of oral traditions; Listen to and interpret code songs; Hear documented stories of fugitives' escapes; Try on a reproduction slave collar and climb into a model of a box in which a slave mailed himself to freedom.

Native Americans (Grades K-3)
Come explore the lifeways and language of the Massachusett Indians and their contact with 17th-century settlers. Students will: Play Native American games; Hunt for native plants and learn their uses; Explore an Algonquian language; Handle tools and natural materials; Enjoy native New England stories.

19th-Century Family Life
Integrates well with studies of family life, 19th- century social history, and local history. Programs include: If You Lived at The Jackson Homestead (Grades K-2) Introduces young students to the lives of mommies, daddies, and children in the 19th century.

19th-Century Family Life (Grades 3 and up)
Learn about the Jacksons ' home life in the 19th century through a hands-on, cooperative group learning experience.

Class Trip Pricing:
The fee per program is $45.00 per group of up to 30 students. Programs are offered at no charge to groups from the Newton Public Schools