GRAHAMSVILLE — It’s that time again for elementary and middle school teachers to start planning their spring field trips. Taking students on a field trip is so important! The fun, hands-on learning connects them with local history in ways not possible in the classroom, and for many it is an experience to remember.  

A great place to connect students with history and the environment is the Time and the Valleys Museum on St. Rt. 55 in Grahamsville, Sullivan County. The Museum provides three different interactive field trips to immerse students in the importance of water to all life, the history of how water has changed both the environment and our culture, and the life struggles on a 1930s Catskill family farm.

Guided by trained Museum educators, students handle million year old fossils and Native American artifacts, build tunnels, visit an outdoor 1930s farm with a farm house, barn, milk house and working waterwheel, experience an interactive exhibition on NYC’s water supply system, and more.  “Students enjoy our field trips and have fun while learning important historical and environmental concepts,” according to Donna Steffens, Museum Director.  

Each of the 2 ½ hour programs provide in-depth information in fun and exciting ways to stimulate student’s learning. Comprehensive pre-visit information packets and fun activity sheets are also included.

The programs are available year round, Monday through Friday, for 1st to 12th grade students (minimum of 15 maximum of 100 students per day). The cost is $5 per student with teachers and chaperones FREE.  Title 1 Sullivan County Schools have FREE admission, with funding through the Make a Difference Grant from the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.  

For more information on the Museum’s field trips, please go to www.timeandthevalleysmuseum.org.  For questions or to book a field trip, please call Donna Steffens at 845-985-7700 or email info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org.

Connecting water, people and the Catskills, the Time and the Valleys Museum has three floors of interactive exhibitions, the 1930s Lost Catskill Farm, a local history research center and gift shop with fun and educational gifts, books and locally made crafts.