To
schedule a program:
General
Information:
Time - Programs last 45 minutes to 1 hour, walking tours
generally take 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Place - Programs can take place at the GHC or offsite. Walking tours start place will be announced at sign up.
Cost
- Geneva schools -
.........................Outreach -
$2.00 per participant
.........................Fieldtrips - $3.00 per
participant.
............Scouts
-
,....................... $3.00 - resident
.........................$4.00 - non-resident
Scheduling
- Two weeks notice is recommended
Contact - (630) 232 4951
Requirements
- 1. Minimum 10 participants, maximum 25 per group.
>>>>>>>>>>
....2.
One adult per 10 children
Families and Children
"Kids' Day Off Series (grades 2 and up)
Scheduled on days that school children have off from school, this popular
series offers a variety of local history topics including the "What Was
It Like...?" series and others. Click on Calendar of Upcoming Events
to see when the next one is scheduled.
Summertime Passport to Adventure
Kids and parents visit local museums, have their "passports" stamped
and may qualify for prizes and parties. Contact your local museum or library.
(May through August)
Annual Holiday Creche
Exhibit
Late in November every year the tradition continues. Kate Raftry's Neapolitan
Creche and French Provencial corner bed are exhibited for the holiday season
just as they were at the Little Traveler starting in the 1930's.
Guided Tours for Families
Family coming in for a visit? Why not take them to the History Center? Tours
for groups of ten or more have special rates and can be guided by experienced,
trained docents. Call the History
Center for details.
Adult Programs (click on calendar of upcoming events for dates and times)
Heritage Roundtables
These "roundtable style" discussions of pre-set local history topics,
offered periodically throughout the year, have been humorous, sad, poignent
but always fascinating
.
Brown Bag Lunches
Bring your lunch and listen to local history. We will supply the drinks and
cookies. You may want to get there a little early since these programs are
very well attended.
Guided Group Tours
Guided tours by trained experienced docents are offered at reduced rates for
groups of ten or more. Call the History Center for details.
Lecture Series
Offered periodically in the spring and fall a wide range of Geneva topics
are addressed by staff, volunteer researchers, guests scholars. The lecture
series is our most well attended and longest running program.
SECOND GRADE
What Was It Like?…Farming in 1900
One hundred years ago, farming was the way of life for many Geneva residents. Students will take a virtual tour of Geneva in 1900 and experience life as a farmer, based on the actualdiary of Genevan John B. Moore.
What Was It Like?…Making Maps
Over time, changes may alter the character of neighborhoods and towns, including how they look on a map. Students will explore Geneva’s past by looking at maps and hearing stories about neighborhoods from long time resident Tom Peck.
The program concludes with a mapping activity.
What Was It Like?…Hiking Through Your Hometown
The theme of this 2-1/2 hour field trip is “community”. Participants will discover places in downtown Geneva that serve the
community now, as well as in the past. Highlights of thewalking tour include the first hospital, post office, library, City Hall,
and holding cells in the old Kane County Courthouse. Students will also explore different sections of the permanent exhibit and participate in a classroom timeline activity.
THIRD GRADE
What Was it Like?…Native Americans of the Fox Valley
Participants will travel back in time to discover the culture of the Pottawatomi Native Americans. This hands-on program allows students to explore the nomadic life of these Fox Valley residents during the 1800s by examining their food, clothing, housing and transportation. Hear about the removal of the Pottawatomi by Genevan Christian Dodson in 1835.
What Was It Like?…An Afternoon with Charity Herrington
Meet Charity Herrington, the mother of Geneva’s founding family, experience the close quarters her seven children
endured in theircovered wagon while traveling west, suggest what they should bring on their journey, and discover
what Geneva looked like when the first settlersarrived.
What Was It Like?…Hiking Through Your Hometown
This 2-1/2 hour field trip to Geneva History Center includes a walking tour, a tour of the permanent exhibit and a
classroom visit, but it is different from the second grade field trip.In this program students will explore their
hometown and learn more about Geneva’s historic buildings. Highlights of the walking tour include visiting the
site of the first permanent settlement in Geneva, seeing how City Hall served as the home to numerous high school
plays and graduation, going to the Augustus Herrington house site and more.
FOURTH GRADE
What Was It Like?…Swedish Immigration
Participants will hear the true story of three children ages 13, 9 and 6 who journeyed from Sweden to Geneva in 1903 by themselves, then the story of an 18 year old Swedish immigrant girl who lived and worked in Geneva in 1899. These two documented stories will introduce the theme of “immigration to the U.S.” using Geneva as an example.
What Was It Like?…History Comes Alive in the Graveyard
Cemeteries are where we can learn more about our past. We will visit the West Side Cemetery in Geneva and hear stories of Geneva’s earliest settlers, and we will discuss tombstones, cemetery symbols and epitaphs. The walk concludes with a scavenger hunt
FIFTH GRADE
Viking Voyage of Discovery
One of the most well-preserved Viking ships is the Gokstad ship, found near Oslo, Norway in 1880. It was a strong, slender warship during its heyday. In 1893, a replica of the Gokstad was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Today that ship, called the Viking, is on display at Good Templar Park in Geneva.For this two part program, participants will first go back in time to learn the story of this magnificent ship and the Vikings’ discovery of America. The second part of the program includes a tour of this most seaworthy vessel at Good Templar Park and the history of the Vikings.
CUB SCOUT / BOY SCOUT PROGRAMS
*These programs are NOT available for Geneva Cub Scouts / Boy Scouts because they are offered through the Geneva Communit
Unit School District #304.
A Letterbox Challenge
Letterboxing is a fun activity that combines treasure hunting with rubber stamping. Participants will explore the museum with educator
Margaret Selakovich and make their own personal letterbox stamp. The program will conclude with participants solving the mystery and
finding the letterbox located somewhere on Third Street!
What Was It Like?…Breaking Secret Codes
During this program, children will hear true accounts of the actual code breaking that took place at Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva.
Participants will discover why the government sent soldiers to Geneva to learn how to break codes. Then, using a book published by
Riverbank for children, participants will learn how to read and write secret messages in code. The program will end by taking a group
photograph in code.
*What Was it Like?…Native Americans of the Fox Valley
Participants will travel back in time to discover the culture of the Pottawatomi Native Americans. This hands-on program allows students
to explore the nomadic life of these Fox Valley residents during the 1800s by examining their food, clothing, housing and transportation.
Hear about the removal of the Pottawatomi by Genevan Christian Dodson in 1835.
“Moving???...No, Not You! The House!”
Have you ever wondered what actually goes into moving a house? Moving houses occurs daily across
North America and around the globe. In fact, relocating structures is the world’s oldest and largest recycling industry. In this program,
participants will hear stories about houses that have been moved in Geneva. Then participants will learn firsthand from official house movers
what structures have been moved, what route they took and why. The program ends with a house moving activity!
Architectural Walking Tour
You don’t have to live in Geneva to learn about architecture! On this walking tour, we will look for “teeth” on houses and find the “fish
shingles.” We will discover which houses were originally barns and find the stone soldiers over the windows. Each participant will take
home a set of cards to help them look for architectural details on buildings and houses in their own community.
*What Was It Like?…Swedish Immigration
Participants will hear the true story of three children ages 13, 9 and 6 who journeyed from Sweden to Geneva in 1903 by themselves, and
then the story of an 18 year old Swedish immigrant girl who lived and worked in Geneva in 1899. These two documented stories will
introduce the theme of “immigration to the U.S.” using Geneva as an example.
Art All Around the Town
Every community has three dimensional art. Visit Geneva to learn about 3-D art so you can go back to your own community to find
examples. On this walking tour, we will visit the Kane County Memorial, take a stroll through beautiful Island Park to see the
sesquicentennial sculpture and more.
“What Was It Like?...Growing Up in Geneva”
Participants will hear stories from Geneva residents, ranging from long time residents to current Geneva High School students. After
hearing these stories, participants will try some of the games and activities that were popular with children in Geneva for many years.
The program will end with each participant being given a “memory book” so they can record their recollections about growing up in Geneva.
Cost: $3 - resident, $4 - nonresident;
Patches: $1.50 each
There is a minimum fee of $30 per program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call Margaret Selakovich at 232-4951 or email her at
mselakovich@genevahistorycenter.org
GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMS
Each program description includes some of the badge requirements that are met.
*These programs are NOT available for Geneva Girl Scouts because they are offered through the Geneva Community Unit School District #304.
A Letterbox Challenge
Letterboxing is a fun activity that combines treasure hunting with rubber stamping. Participants will explore the museum with educator
Margaret Selakovich and make their own personaletterbox stamp. The program will conclude with participants solving the mystery and finding the
letterbox located somewhere on Third Street!
Brownie: Colors and Shapes-req. #1 Junior: Prints and Grapics-req. #2 OR Puzzles- req. #9
*Cemetery Walk - History Comes Alive in the
Graveyard
Cemeteries are not spooky places but places where we can learn more about our past. In this program, participants will learn about the different types
of information that can be gathered by visiting a
graveyard. Find out what a tombstone is and what information you might find on an epitaph. We will visit the West Side Cemetery in Geneva and will see
where some of the first people who lived in Geneva are buried. The cemetery walk concludes with a scavenger hunt.
Brownie: Listening to the Past-reqs. #1, #3, #4, #6
*What Was it Like?…Native Americans of the Fox Valley
Participants will travel back in time to discover the culture of the Pottawatomi Native Americans. This hands-on program allows students to
explore the nomadic life of these Fox Valley residents during the 1800s by examining their food, clothing, housing and transportation. Hear about
the removal of the Pottawatomi by Genevan Christian
Dodson in 1835.
Brownie: Illinois Try-It-reqs. #1,#3, #5
Junior: Illinois Badge-reqs. #1, #5, #6
Cadette & Senior: Illinois IP - reqs. #2, #3, #4, #12
Architectural Walking Tour
You don’t have to live in Geneva to learn about architecture! On this walking tour, we will look for “teeth” on houses and find the “fish
shingles.” We will discover which houses were originally barns and find the stone soldiers over the windows. Each participant will take
home a set of cards to help them look for architectural details n buildings and houses in their own community.
Juniors: Architecture - reqs. #1, 2, & 4
What Was It Like?…Breaking Secret Codes
During this program, children will hear true accounts of the actual code breaking that took place at Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva.
Participants will discover why the government sent soldiers to Geneva to learn how to break codes. Then, using a book published by Riverbank for
children, participants will learn how to read and write secret messages in code. The program will end by taking a group photograph in code.
Brownie: Listening to the Past-req. #2
*What Was It Like?…Swedish Immigration
Participants will hear the true story of three children ages 13, 9 and 6 who journeyed from Sweden to Geneva in 1903 by themselves, and
then the story of an 18 year old Swedish immigrant girl who lived and worked in Geneva in 1899. These two documented
stories will introduce the theme of “immigration to the U.S.”, using Geneva as an example.
Juniors: World Neighbors-reqs. #5, #6, #8, #10
Art All Around the Town
Every community has three dimensional art. Visit Geneva to learn about 3-D art so you can go back to your own community to find examples. On this
walking tour, we will visit the Kane County Memorial, take a stroll through beautiful Island Park to see the sesquicentennial sculpture and more.
Brownie: Listening to the Past-req. #2
Brownie: Creative Composing- req. #6
Junior: Puzzlers-req. #9
Junior: Local Lore-reqs. #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #7
Juniors: Art in 3-D - reqs. #4 & 6
My Community - reqs. #1 & 5
“What Was It Like?...Growing Up in Geneva”
Participants will hear stories from Geneva residents, ranging from long time residents to current Geneva High School students. After hearing
these stories, participants will try some of the games and activities that were popular with children in Geneva for many years. The program
will end with each participant being given a “memory book” so they can record their recollections about growing up in Geneva.
Daisy: Red Petal-Be Courageous and Strong
Brownie: Listening to the Past-reqs. #1,#4, #5, #6
Junior: Local Lore-reqs. #1, #10
Junior: Folk Arts-reqs. #2, #6, #10
Cost: $3 - resident, $4 - nonresident;
Patches: $1.50 each
There is a minimum fee of $30 per program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call Margaret Selakovich at 232-4951 or email her
at mselakovich@genevahistorycenter.org
