Jersey Shore Business Journal

May 14, 2008

Historic Cold Spring Village Education Programs available through PNC grant

COLD SPRING -- Education Director Jim Stephens is having a busy schedule of spring field trips to Historic Cold Spring Village.
“This year marks the highest number of students visiting the Village for field trips yet,” said Stephens. “As of today, 2,913 students from 42 schools have registered, breaking our previous record of over 2,700 students in 2006.”
Field trips at HCSV began on May 13 and run until June 5. The Village is only open for school groups during this time, allowing the children to receive a more personal and educational experience while getting the opportunity to watch the forge of the blacksmith’s iron, the potter molding clay and a variety of traditional crafts and trades that are preserved and taught at the Village.
Part of the museum’s mission is history education, which Stephens and the entire Village staff take great pride in being able to offer the public. Village education programs are made possible by a generous grant from PNC Bank. HCSV offers distance learning programs to schools nationwide and in-class visits to Cape May County schools during the fall and winter. Topics include ‘A Child’s School Day in the 1800s,’ ‘Show and Tell’ (where the Stephens compares modern day items and gadgets to their 19th century counterparts), ‘The Story of Old Glory’ (history of the United States Flag), and several others that focus on the everyday lifestyles of an Early American, South Jersey community.
Historic Cold Spring Village’s educational offerings comply with the NJ Core Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, as established by the NJ Department of Education.
The education program during the spring and summer begins with the field trips, and continues with the Junior Apprentice Program. This unique educational opportunity is designed to educate students ages 12 and 13 on life in the early 1800s by exposing them to the trades, crafts and heritage of the period. Applicants choose a primary craft that they will learn during their sessions, held select Tuesdays in July and August. Apprentice options include pottery, broom-making, basket weaving, blacksmithing, bookbinding and woodworking. Applicants’ families must members of the Friends of HCSV to qualify for the program. Adult apprentice options are also available. For more information, call Stephens at (609) 898-2300, x. 17 or e-mail jstephens@hcsv.org.