Hands-on thematic programs
With such a large homeschool population in the region the History Center offers a unique opportunity to homeschool students. Our homeschool days program provides hands-on thematic experiences focused on our museum exhibits. This program series is designed for elementary school to middle school age students (ages 6-12) but younger and older siblings are welcome to participate. Our previous programs have highlighted topics such as 18th-century agriculture, currency, Civil War medicine, paper making, and more! The fee is $5/student, and adults are free and must remain with their child during the activities. Scroll down this page for a schedule of upcoming Homeschool Days programs.
Students in Action!
Homeschool Days programs can be found on our Calendar. Visit the page to register.
Reserve a spot today!
To reserve a spot, please visit our website, choose the day of the event, select “Homeschool Days,” choose your timeslot, then follow the prompts. Sessions fill up quickly so please be aware sessions may be low on tickets depending on when you register. For assistance with this or any questions about classes, please contact schools@yorkhistorycenter.org.
Homeschool Days – Fall 2026
August 28 (Fri), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: Revolutionary York (HC)
In this class, we will explore pivotal role that York County held in the American Revolution by visiting the brand-new Revolutionary York exhibit at the History Center. While our focus will be on a guided tour, there were also be a few in-museum activities for students to work on!
Topics: 18th century, local history, American Revolution
September 9 (Weds), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: Centennial Celebrations (HC)
This year we celebrated 250 years since the adoption and signing of the Declaration of Independence! Since its inception, the Declaration has been used, reinterpreted, and celebrated throughout our 250 years. This class focuses on the ways we’ve celebrated this momentous event during important centennial years by exploring the galleries, using primary sources, and some fun hands-on activities!
Topics: 19th– 21st centuries, local history, primary sources, American Revolution
September 18 (Fri), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: Road to the Revolution (CC)
For this class, we will playing a collaborative game called “Road to the Revolution” which focuses on the lead up and start of the American Revolution. We can only win the game, if we work together!
Please Note: This class may take a little longer than an hour and it will be outside. If it rains, we may have to reschedule.
Topics: 18th century, American Revolution
October 2 (Fri), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: Introduction to WWII (HC)
Learning is always more fun when it’s hands-on! This WWII class will explore our WWII traveling trunk, York-based stories, primary sources.
Topics: 20th century, WWII, primary sources
October 7 (Weds), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: History Makers (HC)
We all have the potential to make history! In this class, we will learn about the people who has helped make history here in York County, from its founding to the present day. Students will help be the tour guide and will be responsible for reading and presenting some facts about their History Maker as we do a special tour around the History Center.
Topics: 18th – 21st centuries, local history, public speaking (to our small group)
October 21 (Weds), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: The Gilded Age (HC)
Following the Civil War and the Reconstruction period, there was a period of fast economic growth. There were people who came from all over the world to live and work in the United States. Some grew very rich, like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, while others lived in visible poverty. This class will introduce this period of time, explore some of the museum’s objects from that time period, and look at some primary sources.
Topics: 19th century, economy, primary sources
October 30 (Fri), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: What in the World? (part 1) (HC)
During the mid 1700’s, York and York County was formed, America was born, and a War for Independence was fought and won. What else was happening throughout the world at that time? This class will spend some time looking at our Revolutionary War timeline and we will plug in other significant world events happening at the same time. We will be focused on the founding of York in 1741 through 1800.
Topics: 18th century, local history, American Revolution, World History
Nov 11 (Weds), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: The York Plan (AIM)
While the war raged on in Europe and the Pacific, local Yorkers were helping out at home! This class will focus on the York Plan – the contributions made to the war effort by local businesses. We will be touring the York Plan exhibit at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum, looking at some primary sources, and playing a York Plan game.
Topics: 20th century, WWII, local history, primary sources
Nov 18 (Weds), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: Would you surrender?(HC)
During the Civil War, the town of York was surrendered to the Confederates. Would you surrender the town? This class will explore York during the Civil War and the moment and reasons why the town was surrendered and how Yorkers reacted to it.
Topics: 19th century, Civil War, local history
Dec 4 (Fri), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: A Colonial Christmas (CC)
Tis the season! How we celebrate Christmas today is a lot different than how people celebrated during the Colonial period. This class will focus on Colonial holiday traditions by taking a special tour of our Colonial Complex and making some traditional decorations. Please note: the Colonial complex is not heated for the tour portion but our activity will be done in a heated space (either in another building or in the summer kitchen with heaters.) Dress warmly.
Topics: 18th century, Christmas
Dec 9 (Weds), 11 am – 12pm and 1pm – 2pm: Revolutionary Myths (HC)
On the evening of December 25, 1776, General Geroge Washington sneakily led over 2,000 men over the Delaware River, resulting in a pivotal win for the Americans at the Battle of Trenton! While we weren’t there, we can picture exactly how that looked thanks to paintings made of the iconic scene. Except the paintings are all wrong. This class will look at this event, the painting, and paintings in our own collection that contribute to some of today’s myths about the American Revolution.
Topics: 18th century, American Revolution, local history, art