Parents know learning about history is important—but how can they share that message in a way kids can understand?
One way to get kids excited about history is to do exciting things, like visiting a colonial village or living museum.
These special history attractions help kids remember information about historic life and apply that information to what they do today. These attractions connect kids with history directly by putting a face to the experiences of historic figures through reenactors and historic interpreters, preserving and recreating historic buildings and showing kids how things were made in the time before online shopping.
Every experience highlights a different slice of history. How many can your family visit?
Here are a few colonial villages in Maryland that are worth the drive.
Tip: Visit the library before planning your family field trip. Local libraries frequently have free passes or discounts for local attractions.
Jerusalem Mill Village
2813 Jerusalem Road, Kingsville, MD 21087
This living history museum presents a full reconstructed picture of life in an 18th century mill village.
During special history events, kids can learn about the past from costumed and in-character history interpreters. The interpreters help make history feel real and relatable by explaining the how and why of historic happenings while taking part in authentic activities like cooking and sewing.
Betsy Kiethley, a historic interpreter and reenactor and president of the Friends of Jerusalem Mill, says experiences like these make learning history more accessible to kids.
“Instead of throwing a bunch of numbers and dates and battles to people, you get a feel of what people were really like,” Kiethley says. “It makes it more tangible to them and gives them more meaning.”
The village also includes original structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places, like the Grist Mill, Miller’s House, Blacksmith Forge, Tenant House, McCourtney’s General Store, Jerusalem Mansion, Bank Barn, Springhouse, a two-story Smokehouse/Dairy and
another residence.
Grist Mill hosts the visitor’s center, where families can start their visit and peruse displays, artifacts and pictures. Families can also enjoy picnic grounds and hiking trails.
Free to visit; paid programs offered jerusalemmill.org
Historic London Town and Gardens
839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD 21037
See the sights of a 17th century colonial port town at this scenic museum complex. Historic highlights include the William Brown House, an upscale 1760 tavern that became Anne Arundel County’s almshouse from 1828 to 1965. The historic area also includes a reconstructed carpenter’s shop, tenement with a demonstration garden and an 18th century tobacco barn.
Kids may be particularly interested in the museum’s sound and sensory garden with outdoor instruments, discovery tables and natural play elements.
Families should plan their visit ahead to catch living history interpreters in the act as they demonstrate aspects of colonial life. Recent demonstrations have included activities like making candy, using natural dyes, turnip carving and even making colonial cocktails.
After a visit, families can keep learning from home with family-centric activities, gardening tips and virtual history lessons on the Historic London Town & Gardens blog.
$10-11 for adults; $5 for children 4-17, free for children 3 and younger historiclondontown.org
Tip: Historic attractions like these may offer special educational opportunities for home-school tours.
Historic St. Mary’s City
18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686
This outdoor living history museum can give kids a window into Maryland’s first colonial capital and the fourth permanent settlement in British North America.
Visiting families can see reconstructions of and buildings original to the 1600s settlement, learn about the building and repairing techniques used by the Yaocomaco, explore popular English games from the 17th century, see demonstrations of historic artillery and more.
The site is also home to a few notable American firsts, including the first effort to free religion from government in America, the first legislator of African descent in North America and the first woman to petition for the right to vote in English America.
$6-10; free for children 5 and younger hsmcdigshistory.org
National Colonial Farm
3400 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, MD 21607
Museum meets farmland at the National Colonial Farm, where families can see what life was like for a Maryland middle-class family on a farm on the eve of the American Revolution.
Visitors can see the circa 1770 farm dwelling, tobacco barn and out-kitchen. The kitchen garden is furnished with the herbs, flowers and vegetables it would have hosted in that time.
In addition to learning about historic life, kids can enjoy many other family-friendly activities to help make the day a full experience at Piscataway Park. Visiting families can explore nature trails, fish on the pier, pick up an adventure pack, picnic and meet rare and interesting animals.
Program costs vary; register online accokeek.org
