Markham Museum Programs
Markham Museum is a 25-acre Open-Air Museum representing life from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historic Homes and Businesses; a Land Transportation Exhibit; Historic Gardens; and an Apple Orchard bring the Museum to life as we celebrate Markham's early settlers and its Natural Heritage.

• Preschool Programs Ages 3-5
• Elementary School Programs
• Overnights: Guide and Scout groups
• How to Book a Program
• Our Pricing
• Adult Supervision
  

Preschool Early Settler
Ages 3-5

Program Description: Explore what Markham was like over 100 years ago.  Participants will learn how people got around before cars through a visit to a wheelwright's shop where they get to see how a wagon wheel is made.  They will also explore a log cabin, the Wilson Variety Hall, and take a walk through the apple orchard (on poor weather days in the summer they will visit the Honey House instead).  As a class the participants will get a chance to draw a picture about their experience at the Museum and all the pictures will be laced together to make a Paper Quilt.

Length = 2 hours, morning or afternoon 
(includes approximately 30 minutes for a snack and potty break, snack not provided by Museum)
Cost = $5.00
Minimum Number of Participants = 15
Maximum Number of Participants = 50-60 max
A minimum ratio of 1 leader to every 5 children is required.  If your adult to child ratio exceeds this amount you will be charged for each adult over the required ratio.

Day in the Village
Ages 6 and up

Ontario Curriculum Connections
Social Studies: Heritage and Citizenship, Grade 3 – Early Settlement in Upper Canada.

Program Description: Learn about Markham's early settlers and what it was like to live in the 19th Century.  Participants will be lead through our heritage village and will have a chance to explore a variety of buildings including; the Wilson Store, the Chapman House, the Hoover House, the Maxwell Cabin, the Honey House, and our beautiful Apple Orchard.  Additionally, the children will participate in two hands-on activities 1) Tin punching, and 2) Candle making.

Length = 4.5 hours (can be shortened to 4 hours if required), includes a 45 minute lunch break
Cost = $9.00 per participant
Minimum Number of Participants = 15
Maximum Number of Participants = 80
A minimum ratio of 1 leader to every 10 children is required.  However, if your adult to child ratio exceeds 1:8 you will be charged for each adult over.

Mini Day in the Village
Ages 6 and up

Ontario Curriculum Connections
Social Studies: Heritage and Citizenship, Grade 3 – Early Settlement in Upper Canada.

Program Description: Learn about Markham's early settlers and what it was like to live in the 19th Century.  Enjoy a guided tour of our heritage village and participate in one hands-on activity based on the age of your participants.  Your tour will visit the Apple Orchard (on poor weather days the Honey House), the Wilson Store, the Chapman House, and the Hoover House.  As part of this program your group will also participate in a Tin Punching craft.

Length = 2 hours (morning or afternoon).
Cost = $5.00 per participant
Minimum Number of Participants = 15
Maximum Number of Participants = 80
A minimum ratio of 1 leader to every 10 children is required.  However, if your adult to child ratio exceeds 1:8 you will be charged for each adult over.

The Jacob Roth Program
Cultural Groups in Markham: Mennonites
Grades 2-7

Ontario Curriculum Connections
Social Studies: Heritage and Citizenship, Grade 2: Traditions and Celebrations, Grade 3: Early Settlements in Upper Canada, Social Studies: Canada and World Connections – Grade 3: Urban and Rural Communities, Visual Arts: Grade 2-7

Program Description: Using the Jacob Roth collection of folk sculptures depicting Mennonite life; participants learn about the Mennonite community past and present, and create their own sculptures out of recycled materials.  As part of the program they will also visit the Hoover House, the oldest building at the Museum built in 1824, which was home to a Mennonite family in Markham.

Length = 2 hrs (morning or afternoon)
Cost = $5.00
Minimum Number of Participants = 15
Maximum Number of Participants = 40
A minimum ratio of 1 leader to every 10 children is required.  However, if your adult to child ratio exceeds 1:8 you will be charged for each adult over.

Snowshoeing
Ages 6 and up

Girl Guide and Scout Badge Connections
Girl Guides - Snowshoeing Badge
Cubs - Winter Cubbing Badge

Ontario Curriculum Connections
Health and Physical Education Grades 1-8

Program Description:  Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to keep active during the winter months and has provided an important method of transportation and recreation throughout Canada’s history.  Participants will learn the history of snowshoeing, how to care for snowshoes, the importance of dressing for winter weather and basic snowshoeing skills through a variety of activities and games.  At the end of the program participants will warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.

Length = 2 hours
Cost = $5.00 per student
Minimum Number of Participants = 15
Maximum Number of Participants = 30
A minimum ratio of 1 leader to every 10 children is required.  However, if your adult to child ratio exceeds 1:8 you will be charged for each adult over.

Mini Day in the Village and Snowshoeing
Ages 6 and up

Ontario Curriculum Connections
Social Studies: Heritage and Citizenship, Grade 3 – Early Settlement in Upper Canada
Health and Physical Education Grades 1-8

Program Description: Get the best of both worlds!  Spend your morning learning about Markham’s early settlers and what life was like in the 19th century.  Then after lunch spend an hour learning the history and the basics of snowshoeing, one of the oldest methods of traveling in the snow, through a variety of games and activities.

Length = 3.5 hours
Cost = $7.00 per student
Minimum Number of Participants = 15
Maximum Number of Participants = 30
A minimum ratio of 1 leader to every 10 children is required.  However, if your adult to child ratio exceeds 1:8 you will be charged for each adult over.

Stay for the day and save!
A full day for $9.00 per student!
Book two half day programs for your class on the same day and you will save $1.00 per child.  This option allows you to create a daylong experience.

Canadian Heritage Overnights

Spend the night at the Museum!  Learn about early Markham settlers and their role in Canadian History.  Participants sleep indoors in an exhibition hall.  Breakfast is provided.  

Cost: $40.00/participant, $20.00/adult (plus HST)
Minimum 10 participants, 1 adult required for every 5 participants.

Further details: 

• Overnight Information  (92k/2p)
• Sample Overnight Schedule  (120k/2p)
• Frequently Asked Questions  (57k/1p)

To Book a Program
Phone the Museum at 905-294-4576 to book a Program.  Programs must be booked at least two weeks in advance.  Upon receiving your reservation, your school or group will receive an invoice and confirmation.  Once payment by cheque or credit card is received by the Museum, the Museum will send your school or group a receipt confirming your booking.

Programs must be reserved at least two weeks in advance. Payments for Programs must be received no later than one week in advance of Program, or subject to cancellation.  Minimum charges, and minimum and maximum participants and cancellation charges apply to each Program. Lunch space is available, please inquire.

We try to ensure a safe and educational experience for all participants. Our Programs are staff intensive. Our staffing levels are based on the number of participants expected at each Program.  That is why we must have the best estimate possible of the number of participants attending.

What happens if we expected more kids than the amount that shows up?

The school or group will receive a credit on their Museum account to be used towards a future program.

What happens if we arrive with more participants than we told the Museum we expected?

If there are up to FIVE more participants for a program than expected, the individuals may be paid for upon arrival at the Museum.  If there are more than five extra participants in the group, and the Museum has not been given advance warning, the Museum will not be able to accommodate your group.  This is because our Programs are staff-intensive.  Our staffing levels are determined by the EXPECTED number of participants.

Cancellation Policy
The Museum reserves the right to cancel a Program at any time to ensure the safety of participants and the site.

Cancellation of a Program by a group:

• 3 weeks in advance: full refund
• 1 week to 3 weeks in advance: $50 charge will apply
• 1 week or less: Full charge will apply

In the case of inclement weather, or unavoidable transportation failures a group may arrange a new date for Program with the Program Coordinator.

The Museum accepts cheques, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Interac and cash.  The Museum will send an invoice to the school or group and must be paid in full prior to the start of the Program.

All school groups must be accompanied by adult supervisors at a ratio 1 adult per 8 or 10 participants (depending on your school board's requirements) for elementary school and above, 1 adult per 5 participants for children under 6, or groups or participants that have special needs. Adult supervisors are free within this ratio. Adults above this ratio will be charged participant fees.