French Colonial America’s Hands-On History House Will Open March 23

French Colonial America, the educational nonprofit organization that operates the Centre for French Colonial Life on behalf of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri, will open a new interactive learning facility — the Hands-On History House — on its museum campus in Ste. Genevieve on Saturday, March 23.

The public is invited to attend the opening of the Hands-On History House, which will be at the historic Beauvais-Linden House located at 116 S. Main St.

The opening event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Hands-On History House will offer participatory activities, demonstrations, craft projects, and games to help children, families, home-schoolers and life-long learners explore aspects of everyday life in this region during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Following the initial opening day, the Hands-On History House will be open on Tuesdays (primarily for home-schoolers), and on Saturdays for the general public.  A modest admission fee of $2 per person will be charged.

Under the leadership of French Colonial America educational program coordinator Sandy Puhse, the project team developed programming for the Hands-On History House that will explore three Missouri History themes during 2019:  The French and Farm Life; The French and the Mighty Mississippi; and The French and the Native Americans.

Among the activities that visitors can participate in will be visiting a recreated trading post, taking part in a colonial schoolroom lesson, doing themed arts and crafts projects, and trying out special historical activities such as throwing a tomahawk at a target.

“The goal of the project is to make history feel more real for learners of all ages, and to add another element to the growing ‘critical mass’ of historical resources and attractions in the Ste. Genevieve area,” said Geoff Giglierano, the executive director of French Colonial America.

“We are looking forward to the response to the new Hands-On History activities being introduced,” said Sandra Cabot, director of tourism for the city of Ste. Genevieve. “Children learn in many different modes, and when you can engage them by allowing them to see and touch — they can relate to the subject in a more memorable way, which makes learning more appealing.”

French Colonial America relies on the generosity of friends and partners in the community who are committed to cultural and historic preservation and to creating educational opportunities that illustrate the heritage.

Tax-deductible contributions for the Hands-On History House and French Colonial America’s other educational programs are encouraged and appreciated.

For more information about educational programs, contact the Centre for French Colonial Life at 573-883-3105.

(Information in a release from French Colonial America.)

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