Durant House and sholes school
Are you looking for an interactive learning experience to augment your classroom curriculum? Look no further…
The 1843 Durant House Museum, a prairie farmhouse, invites your class to step into the past for a unique historical opportunity.
Our program enables students to learn what they normally only read in textbooks, granting them an appreciation of life in a 170 year old prairie house. Students will participate in hands on activities, guided by costumed docents who bring the pioneer past to life in this nationally recognized historical site.
Visits to the 1843 Durant House Museum can be coordinated with tours of the Pioneer Sholes School, located within walking distance to the Durant House.
Sholes School, completed in 1872, is an authentically restored and furnished one room country school, used regularly as a classroom by students and teachers who want to relive a school day as it was 140 years ago.
We will work with you to create an experience that meets your students educational needs!
Availability: throughout the year, by appointment
Eligibility: Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Preservation Partners staff will work with you to create an experience that meets your students’ educational needs.)
Fee: $5 per student (includes Durant House, Sholes School and optional Prairie Walk); $50.00 minimum per class
Length: One hour at each site
Illinois Education Standards: Our curriculum was assessed in the Fall of 2019 to determine how it aligns with the current Illinois Education Standards. Our Sholes School Teacher’s Manual describes the curriculum in detail, but we have developed a chart to simplify the information for teachers. Check it out here! ISBE Standards Chart
Common Core: Students will improve reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while learning local history.
Click here to book a tour! Tour Booking Guidelines (PDF)
Helpful Information:
Contact:
Debra Corwin, Museum Director
Call 630-377-6424 or email DurantAndSholes@ppfv.org
Please contact us for information regarding accessibility for those with limited mobility. We are eager to accommodate your needs.
Fabyan Villa & Japanese Garden
We at Preservation Partners invite you and your classes to visit our local historical treasures: the Fabyan Villa House Museum and the Japanese Garden! Discover the Fabyan’s unique and fascinating legacy; learn how Frank Lloyd Wright remodeled and augmented the Villa in 1907.
This spectacular two hour field trip includes a tour of the Villa, the Japanese Garden and a mini estate tour!
At the Villa, students will discover the Fabyan Legacy which ranges from the Colonel’s interest in Japanese culture to the fascinating code breaking that significantly impacted both World Wars. Students will even learn how to break a bi-lateral cipher code!
Students will also experience the historic 1910 Japanese Garden, a tranquil oasis where Japanese history blends with with nature right here in Illinois. They will follow and view the path from different perspectives to discover the unique features of this garden.
On the estate walk students will imagine life on the estate during the Fabyan era and they will hear stories about the Fabyan’s private zoo (alligators, monkeys, and bears…OH MY!).
We will work with you to create an experience that meets your students educational needs!
Availability: April through November, by appointment
Eligibility: Grades 4 and up
Length: 2 hours
Fee: $4/student
Illinois Learning Standards: STATE GOAL 16: 16A, 16A.2b, 16A.2c, 16C, 16C.2b, 16C.2c, 16E.2b
Common Core: Students will improve and demonstrate reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while learning local history.
Please contact us for information regarding accessibility for those with limited mobility. We are eager to accommodate your needs.