History Inspired Student Trips at Historic London Town and Gardens
School Tours & Field Trips
Field Trip Programs at London Town & Gardens
Explore 300 years of Maryland history through hands-on learning, guided tours, and immersive experiences at Historic London Town & Gardens
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Field Trip Information
From colonial history to garden science, Historic London Town’s field trip programs inspire curiosity through hands-on experiences and outdoor discovery. Students connect with the past, explore the natural world, and engage with lessons that bring classroom concepts to life.
They’ll step into the past, discover daily life in a colonial seaport, and see how history continues to shape their world today. Plus, check out our new Nature Field Trips to discover how plants and animals interact in our ecosystem. Field trips are offered for grades pre-K through 5 (see the Maryland State Standards section below).
Availability: Available dates will be updated weekly. Requests for dates will be handled on a first-come-first-served basis, and dates listed here may be taken before the list can be refreshed. Please use this as a guide (not a guarantee) of availability. Dates will be held with payment of a deposit.
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Field trip dates are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, so please pick a first and second choice when submitting a request.
History Field Trips
‘Early Maryland History’ Field Trip
The Early Maryland field trip explores life and daily activities in the colonial port of London Town. With activities taking place in and around the c. 1760 William Brown House tavern and our historically accurate reconstructions of the Tenement and Carpenter’s Shop, this program transports students to an earlier age.
Age Groups
This program is best for 3rd-5th graders, but is adaptable for students in older grades. The content is not well-suited for students under third grade; younger students are encouraged to join our garden programs.
Tour Length
A full-day program (3.5 hours) includes all of the themes listed above and allows time for lunch. A half-day program (2 hours) includes the People & Work themes.
‘Early Maryland History’ Topics
The program explores four themes over six stations, which align with Maryland State Social Studies Standards. They are:
- People: Students learn about the lives of those living in London Town, both enslaved and free, by exploring how they would have interacted in a social center of colonial life: the tavern of the William Brown House. In these stations, students will learn about, and try on, colonial clothing; interact with the objects of enslaved and free residents; and use inductive reasoning to learn about tavern culture.
- Work: Students explore the work that men, women, and children would have done to support themselves & their families in the Tenement and the Carpenter’s Shop. In these stations, students try out a variety of woodworking tasks as they apprentice themselves to a carpenter; and some of the domestic chores necessary to have enough food to eat.
- Trade: Trade was the lifeblood of the seaport of Colonial London Town. Students enjoy learning about the importance of trade to the Maryland colony by way of games that were traded amongst the inhabitants.
- Primary Sources: Students become researchers as they examine genuine and reproduction artifacts to find out historical fact vs. fiction.
Nature Field Trips
‘How Does Your Garden Grow?’ Field Trip
Students will explore the science behind healthy gardens through hands-on investigation and discovery. From examining soil and learning how plants grow to experimenting with plant propagation, this program helps young gardeners understand what plants need to survive and why gardens are important to people and the environment.
Age Groups
This program is best suited for Kindergarten through 3rd grade students. Activities are designed to build curiosity about the natural world while introducing age-appropriate concepts in plant science, ecology, and the relationship between people and plants.
Tour Length
This program is offered as a 1.5-hour field trip experience. Students will participate in guided investigations, hands-on activities, and garden exploration while learning the essential elements plants need to grow and thrive.
Nature Field Trips
‘Magic in the Gardens’ Field Trip
Young learners will discover the wonders of our woodland gardens and the plants and animals that call them home. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, creative play, and a special take-home craft, students will explore how gardens grow, why they are important, and the many ways people and nature interact within them.
Age Groups
This program is designed for PreK through Kindergarten students. Activities are tailored to young learners and encourage exploration through movement, observation, storytelling, and sensory experiences.
Tour Length
A full program (1.5 hours) includes all activities as well as 20 minutes of free play in our Sound & Sensory Gardens. A shorter program (1 hour) includes the core educational activities and exploration but does not include free play time.
School Field Trip Request
Request a school field trip at Historic London Town.
Additional Field Trip Details
Cost
Early Maryland Program
Full day: $11/student
Half day: $9/student
Title I schools receive $1 off per student for field trip programs
Nature Programs
$9/student
Title I schools receive a $1 off per student for field trip programs
Minimum
Our minimum program fee is $70.
Payment Schedule
A nonrefundable deposit is due within two weeks of receiving the confirmation and invoice to hold your reservation. The nonrefundable deposit is equal to $70 multiplied by the number of tour days booked.
The final headcount and balance are due two weeks before your tour.
Non-payment of deposit or balance may result in the cancellation of your program.
Rescheduling and Cancellations
We will make every effort possible to reschedule programs within the same school year.
All payments may be transferred to the rescheduled date, but nonrefundable deposits will not be refunded for any cancelled programs.
Dates & Times
Field Trips are available Tuesdays through Fridays.
Most tours begin at either 9:30 am or 10:00 am, but other start times can be accommodated. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your program begins. This will ensure enough time for you to check in and for your students to get settled in before the tour.
Tour Length
Full Day Early Maryland Program – 3.5 hours (our most popular)
Half-Day Early Maryland Program – 2 hours
Nature Programs: 1.5 hours
Group Size
We are currently able to accommodate a maximum of 90 students at a time on a Full Day field trip.
We are currently able to accommodate a maximum of 60 students at a time on a Half Day field trip or Nature Program.
Please let us know if your group beyond the maximum number and we will let you know about possible accommodations.
Once on site, groups will be divided further into 15-student groups.
Requests for special accommodations:
Please let us know in advance if any of your students has access or support requirements that we can help to accommodate
Chaperones
Schools must bring one chaperone (including teachers) for every five students. These chaperones are included free of charge. Nurses, aides, and one-on-ones are free. Additional chaperones beyond the included number are requested to pay the student rate ($10 for full day/$8 for half day/$7 for nature program).
We request that siblings be left at home so that chaperones can focus on assisting the children on the program.
Teachers MUST accompany their students throughout the entire field trip, including lunch. Noncompliance will result in a $100 fee.
Add-Ons: Extend Your Program
Staff Led Garden Activity:
Explore our 10 acres of wooded and ornamental gardens and one mile of walking trails, seeking examples of ways plants and animals interact in our ecosystem. 30 minutes (includes introduction and wrap-up led by our staff); $30 for 10 to 51 students, $60 for more than 51 students.
Self-Guided Activity:
Explore our 10 acres of wooded and ornamental gardens and one mile of walking trails, seeking examples of ways plants and animals interact in our ecosystem.
Lunches
The Full Day Early Maryland Program allows 45 minutes for lunch and students are encouraged to bring bag lunches. In case of inclement weather, we have a covered Education Pavilion.
Groups attending the Half Day Early Maryland Program or the Nature Programs may reserve a lunch space in advance. Preferential seating is given to groups who reserve a space, so we recommend reaching out if you are interested in lunching on the property.
What to Wear
Anticipate being outside most of the day; please ensure that your students dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for standing and walking most of the day.
Inclement Weather
Field trips are held rain or shine. Teachers should encourage students to dress in sturdy shoes and bring rain gear if needed. For safety, strong winds and/or possible thunderstorms may require a substitution of alternative indoor activities. In the case of a weather emergency in which schools are closed, your field trip will be cancelled. If an alternate date is available, we reschedule the trip.
