BOOK A VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON SCHOOL TOUR

Pricing

K-College  |  $10 per student
Tour Add-Ons  |  $6 additional fee per student
Chaperones, K – 12  |  One free per 10–12 students, each additional $10
Outreach Programs, 3 – 12  |  $150 for 1–2 hours (class-size groups only)

Generous grant funding from the SBM Charitable Foundation provides FREE field trips and outreach for schools (K-12) in East Hartford, Manchester, and Rockville/Vernon (subject to availability).

Other scholarships and discounts may be available.  We work with every teacher to determine the best program and corresponding value for each school group.  Teachers and students are a priority at Hill-Stead—let us support you and your curriculum.

Helpful Hints for Booking Your Visit

• For a description of the themed virtual and in-person student tours we offer, please see Field Trips.
• We will work with you to choose or design an appropriate experience.
• Advise us of the date and time preferred, with alternate dates, and the number of students and adult chaperones in your group.
• School tours should be arranged at least two weeks in advance—much earlier if you are hoping to schedule during our busiest school tour months of May and June!

Contact

If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, please contact the Education Department (860-677-4787 ext. 136 or education@hillstead.org).

Confirmation

You will receive written confirmation of your reservation by email. The date, time, and content of your field trip are not finalized until you receive confirmation.

Group Size

A maximum of 30 students may tour the house at one time. However, groups may rotate through the house and the museum grounds for predetermined activities (prior arrangements must be made with the museum). We can accommodate multiple busloads, provided we know your numbers in advance. Please be prepared to divide your group into smaller groups of 10–12 students prior to the start of the museum tour.

Chaperones

One adult chaperone is required for every 10–12 students. Chaperones must remain with the group at all times and assist museum guides with the logistics of moving students through the historic house.

Arrival Time

Plan to arrive at our Visitor Center 10 minutes before your scheduled tour. The group leader can enter the Museum Shop to let museum staff know of your group’s arrival and to remit payment. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card. You will then be led by a staff member to the museum entrance and/or other scheduled activity.

Amenities

Your school group is welcome to stay for a picnic lunch on our grounds. In the event of inclement weather, we are able to offer covered spaces for groups as well (based on availability). Both outdoor and indoor lunch accommodations must be scheduled prior to your group’s visit. Personal items can either be stored on the bus or in Hill-Stead’s security office.

Directions

Buses may not use the main entrance on Mountain Road to enter the museum.  Buses must use the bus entrance located on Farmington Avenue/Rt. 4. Please note that GPS will route you to the car entrance. Please use the address 671 Farmington Avenue, Farmington to reach the side entrance.  Advance notice of chartered bus arrival is required.
Download Bus Directions

If you will be arriving by passenger van or car, please use the main entrance located on Mountain Road.
Download Car Directions

“Dear Hill-Stead Staff, Thank you for having us as your guest. You told us so much info. It’s probably cool to work there. Being around great history all day long must be kind of exciting. My favorite room was the Mulberry Suite. I liked how the colors were warm. My favorite sculpture was the lion stepping on the snake and my favorite painting was the boats. The only colors were blue, white, yellow, and brown.”
– Fifth Grade Student