Educators
Upstairs to the School Room: A Teacher-in-Residence Program
A unique experience for teachers only the Prudence Crandall Museum can offer!
Through the museum’s new “Upstairs to the School Room” Teacher-in-Residence program, teachers can bring their classroom for a 2-hour actual instruction experience in one of the school’s former classroom spaces!
How it works:
- The class is split into two groups
- One group gets a staff-guided tour of the museum while the second group is led through a 45-minute instruction session by their teacher.
- The groups switch, and the same activities take place.
- Questions, reflections, and wrap-up before the class leaves the site.
Available Days & Times
November to April: Tuesdays & Thursdays only
May to October: Thursdays only
*Note: If your college class meets on a different day, please let us know. We may be able to accommodate your class.
Residences may be scheduled any time between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, depending on site schedule. After hours are an option for college classes.
How to apply: Please fill out this form to apply.
A museum staff member will respond to you shortly to confirm a date and time.
If anyone in your group has accessibility concerns, a first-floor room will be provided instead. Because of the historic nature of the building, there is no elevator to the second floor.
Program Guidelines:
- This program is for 3rd-grade students through college.
- One second-floor room with tables and chairs for up to 15 students and one teacher will be provided. Paras and co-teachers are welcome.
- Cost: $15 per student; teachers and paras are free. Parents & chaperones are $10 per person (standard adult rate).
- If anyone in your group has accessibility concerns, a first-floor room will be provided instead. Because of the historic nature of the building, there is no elevator to the second floor.
- Any art supplies must have the approval of the museum in advance.
- No food allowed, and no beverages other than water in non-plastic bottles with tight fitting lids permitted.
- Outlets are available for laptop charging. There is a guest WIFI available.
- Photography is permitted.
For Home School Families:
- This program is for 3rd-grade (8 years of age) and up. Younger siblings are welcome to be on-site, but the tour is structured for no younger than 8 years of age.
- A minimum of 10 students are needed to participate in the program. No more than 25 people on-site maximum.
- Cost: $15 per student. Two teachers are free, other teachers/chaperones are $10 per adult (standard adult rate).
- Payment in full must be made two weeks before program. The museum accepts cash, check, or card. Checks may be sent to: PO Box 58, Canterbury, CT 06331.
- One second-floor room with tables and chairs for up to 15 students and two teachers will be provided.
- If anyone in your group has accessibility concerns, a first-floor room will be provided instead. Because of the historic nature of the building, there is no elevator to the second floor.
- Any art supplies must have the approval of the museum in advance.
- No food allowed, and no beverages other than water in non-plastic bottles with tight fitting lids permitted.
- Outlets are available for laptop charging. There is a guest WIFI available.
- Photography is permitted.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult; this is not a drop-off program.
- The program lasts 2 hours; afterwards the museum closes to participants.
Why is it called "Upstairs to the School Room?"
The title is taken from the testimony language of both student Amy Fenner and teacher Mary Burleigh during the arson trial of Frederick Olney in March, 1834.
Olney's trial was covered in full by The Unionist, Connecticut's first newspaper of immediate abolition. To date, it's the only primary source that informs us of the use of several rooms in the school, including that the school rooms were on the second floor.