Education and School Opportunities

School Programs

A visit to The Shaker Historical Society is a fun and engaging way to fulfill Ohio’s social studies, fine arts, language arts, and even science standards in your curriculum! The Society offers guided tours for school groups from elementary school through high school. Groups tour the museum and participate in theme-related activities designed specifically for each age group to enhance their understanding of Shaker life, work, and worship, as well as the area’s transition from historic to present-day Shaker Heights.

Field Trip Policies

Reservations must be made at least one week in advance by contacting The Shaker Historical Society by phone at 216.921.1201 or by email at lhutchison@shakerhistory.org. Programs are booked on a first-come, first-served basis year-round. All programs are approximately one hour in length and may be scheduled Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Maximum group size is 30. Please notify the Society in advance if your reservation must be altered, rescheduled, or cancelled.

The Shaker Historical Society is not ADA compatible, but we are more than happy to accommodate in any way that we can.  Please call 216.921.1201 to discuss how we can help!

Groups are welcome to explore the Spirit Tree gift shop and museum grounds on their own after their scheduled program. A short, self-guided walking tour is also available and can be completed in approximately 30 – 45 minutes. Walking tour includes the gate posts from the North Union Shaker community; the gate from the Meeting House; the location of Center family dwelling; the gravesite of Jacob Russell, the father of North Union founder Ralph Russell; and Horseshoe Lake and dam.

Chaperones

Shaker Historical Society requires one chaperone for every 10 students for all of its programs. Chaperones should be prepared to participate and assist in the tour experience. An adult must accompany children at all times.

Fees and Payment

Admission fee is $2.00 per child and $4.00 per adult chaperone. All checks should be made payable to “The Shaker Historical Society.” Full payment is due no later than the day of the event.

Field Trips

Field trip options include (links to Adobe PDF documents):

• Life of a Shaker

  Grades K-12: Explore the daily life of a Shaker using tools, furniture, clothing, and other items in the museum.

• A Walk Through Time

  Grades K-12: Walk through time and into the North Union Shaker community.

• Invention and Innovation: The Importance of Technology in Shaker Life

  Grades K-10: Investigate the development and use of many of the Shakers’ inventions.

• “You will never kill the Devil with a sword”: Shakers and Pacifism

  Grades 7-8: Contrast the peaceful lives of the Shakers with the carnage of America’s bloodiest war and most pivotal historical event–the Civil War.

• Heaven on Earth: A Shaker Utopia

  Grades 6-12: Explore the appearance of, motivation for, and decline of utopian societies in America.

• Map Mania!

  Grades 1-5: Use physical, road, and topographic maps from the collection to explore and identify the characteristics and changes of the local community.

• Make No Little Plans: The Van Sweringen Empire

  Grades 2-5: Delve into the lives of Shaker Heights’ most famous brothers–Oris Paxton and Mantis James Van Sweringen.