Colonial Arts Program

This unique program provides an opportunity for children to experience first hand some of the daily activities of colonial times. Benner's Farm has been bringing this program into schools for over 15 years tying the program structure into our own pre-revolutionary farm's history with special focus on the role that children played in colonial family life. We also offer a variation on this program here at the farm where we are also able to provide a farm tour as part of the day. Information about both programs follow:

In-School, the program is composed of two parts, beginning with a full grade-wide presentation where we share stories of our early settlers and demonstrate processes, tools, toys and wares of the time period. Then the remainder of the school day is spent with individual class workshops where the students have an opportunity to participate in many of the creative tasks that filled the lives of our colonial, pioneer, and early American forefathers and mothers. Children card and spin wool, weave on looms, grind corn into meal, cook corn cakes, write with quill pens, create stencil art, and make a wooden toy. Additional elements are available if time and age appropriate, such as soap making, candle making, apple head doll carving, etc.

We encourage children to thoughtfully compare our present lifestyles to the lives of our ancestors. This unique curriculum enrichment program is designed to give students an in-depth awareness of our Long Island Heritage.

Call for Rates and booking dates mid November through March.

Colonial Crafts is a BOCES Arts-In-Education Program

In School Colonial Arts Program

Through a creative hands-on approach, students will experience early America at work and play. Children actively participate in many of the creative tasks that formed an important part of the lives of our colonial, pioneer, and early American forefathers and mothers. Children prepare, spin, and weave wool, write with a quill pen, and make a toy. They grind corn, bake, and taste an early American food. We encourage children to thoughtfully compare our present lifestyles to the lives of our ancestors. This unique curriculum enrichment program is designed to give students an indepth awareness of our Long Island Heritage and will integrate a wide variety of traditional experiences into your curriculum. Your students will learn some of the crafts, skills, chores, foods, shelters, clothing and forms of entertainment that were part of the daily lives of our colonial ancestors. Through cooperative planning, we will enhance your classroom and provide a focal point for your teaching.

Main Objectives:

Through the Colonial Crafts Program, students will identify and compare our present lifestyles to the lives of our colonial ancestors. They will learn about self-sufficiency and develop a realistic view of how much time and effort was involved in the day-to-day living of early Long Islanders. By being active participants, students will learn through first hand experience, the best teacher of all!

Scheduling information:

Special presentation to all classes to be involved in workshops covering Long Island lifestyle changes over time. 35 minutes to an hour

Demonstration, instruction, and hands on workshop: One hour for each class Including: Carding and spinning of wool, weaving, wood working, top making, early American cooking, corn grinding, Johnny cakes, Stencils, quill pen and ink.

In a fullday program, 3 to 4 classes meet for an overview, followed by one hour individual class workshops doing handson activities.

Colonial Crafts is a Suffolk BOCES ArtsInEducation Program. We no longer work with Nassau BOCES

$600 Per day, $350 half day in Suffolk County
$700 Per day, $400 half day in Nassau County

Colonial Arts Program at the Farm

This program is similar to the in-school program features, but with the added benefit of spending the day at our historic farm and seeing homesteading first-hand. Groups that participate in this program begin with a brief presentation about the history of this farm starting with the arrival of Samuel Tooker’s family in 1751 and continuing through the six families who followed as they built the farm that still stands today. Following the presentation, groups have the opportunity to participate in hands on colonial crafts and also get to tour the farm itself.

Main Objectives:

Through the Colonial Crafts Program, students will identify and compare our present lifestyles to the lives of our colonial ancestors. They will learn about self-sufficiency and develop a realistic view of how much time and effort was involved in the day-to-day living of early Long Islanders. By being active participants at our historic farm, students will learn through first hand experience, the best teacher of all!

Scheduling information:

Special overview presentation to the whole group which will cover Long Island lifestyle changes over time. 35 minutes to an hour

Demonstration, instruction, and hands on workshop at least one hour for each class, or 75 minutes for a double class. Including: Carding and spinning of wool, weaving, wood working, top making, early American cooking, corn grinding, Johnny cakes, Stencils, quill pen and ink, and Candle Making.

Tour of the farm including discussions about each animal’s contribution, the workings of the gardens and fields, daily schedules, etc. Ending with a tractor wagon ride.

We can accommodate up to 4 classes in a single day (~4 hour trip including a lunch break)

Colonial Crafts is a BOCES ArtsInEducation Program

Cost: $12 per child. Adults are free. Extra Chaperones Needed!