Maria Mitchell Association
- Discovery Program
- Wee Explorers: Ages 4-6
- Habitat Hoppers: Ages 7-9
- Junior Historians: Ages 7-10
- Eco-Investigators: Ages 10-12
- Naturalist Leadership Program (Ages 13-15)
- Adults
- Family
- Scholarships & Program Discounts
- Teacher Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
Junior Historians
Questions? Call Mitchell House Curator, Jascin Finger, 508-228-9219
Mitchell House’s Junior Historians for Children Aged 7 – 10
Take a step back in time and learn what life was like for Maria Mitchell and her family in Nantucket of the 1800s. Through hands-on activities and crafts, children will learn about daily life in the 19th century for children and adults. They will learn about: Nantucket’s illustrious past, Maria Mitchell and her incredible family, what life was like without electricity, what ghosts inhabit which houses in Town, and who the Wampanoag were.
The classes utilize the Mitchell House and the family artifacts to help children better understand what they are learning in class and allows them to see what happens behind-the-scenes in a historic house museum.
Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August from 10am until Noon
Classes are $35 for Members of the MMA and $40 for Non-Members
Classes are limited to 10 children allowing for a more personal experience
Classes include:
Nantucket Girls, Tuesday, July 3 or Thursday, August 2
Nantucket was a unique place for girls and women in Maria’s day. With so many husbands and fathers at sea, island women worked outside the home running shops and Nantucket girls stayed in school longer than their brothers. Come learn what life was like for Nantucket women as we visit some of the sites where they worked, learn about some of their famous exploits, and create some art and crafts projects based on what we learn.
Mystery History Ghost Tour, Thursday, July 5 or Tuesday, August 7
Take a walk through the streets of Town as we hunt for different and unusual architectural features. We will create sketches of our finds and hear some spooky stories of the ghosts who haunt these homes and others.
Mashop and the Puckwudgies: Nantucket Native American Legends, Tuesday, July 10 or Thursday, August 9
Who was Mashop? What are Puckwudgies? Join us as we learn about the legends of the Wampanoag Indians who inhabited Nantucket. Children will read and discuss legends – including Maria Mitchell’s poem about the Wampanoag, create their own Wampanoag story bag and other Native American related crafts.
After Scrubbing Decks, Thursday, July 12 or Tuesday, August 14
After whaling, when free time was available, the sailors would relax while creating beautiful pieces of art for their loved ones far away at home. Discuss whaling, the Mitchell family’s role in whaling, and creating your own scrimshaw and sailor’s valentine for someone you love.
Keep the Lights Burning, Tuesday, July 17 or Thursday, August 16
Join us as we learn about life before electricity. We will learn about different lamps and candles used and about the craft of tinsmithing – practiced by Maria Mitchell’s uncle and her brother - and then make our own candle and lantern to take home.
Krazy and Kolorful Kaleidoscopes and Bubble Blowers, Thursday, July 19 or Tuesday, August 21
William Mitchell studied the polarization of light and was known to have a prism of his own making hanging in the family’s front sitting room. He loved bright colors! Two colorful and fun activities for children and adults in Maria’s day were kaleidoscopes and blowing bubbles. We will learn about these items and make our own kaleidoscopes and bubble blowers to take home.
Click HERE to register.
Questions? Call Mitchell House Curator, Jascin Finger, 508-228-9219
