Homeschool Wednesday Workshops
September 30th & October 14th

Designed especially for homeschool families, these engaging workshops combine interpretive discussion, demonstrations, and hands-on activities that bring Maryland’s early history to life. Families may register for one or multiple sessions throughout the day.

Workshop sessions: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
$10 general / $8 members. Additional workshops $7 general / $5 members.
Space is limited. Preregistration with full payment required.
Registration opens August 3rd.

Powerful Plants I: Colonial Medicine

Tobacco Plantation

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Ages 5 and up

Join us at the Tobacco Plantation to learn about the power of plants in 17th century Maryland. Participants will learn about herbal medicine by exploring the kitchen garden, creating their own “mini herbals”, and making several types of colonial medicine. This knowledge will then be put to the test; will you be able to accurately diagnose and treat an ill colonist?

Cargo: From Ship to Shore

HSMC Waterfront

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Ages 8 and up.

Combine STEM principles with history in this cargo-focused workshop on the HSMC waterfront. Participants will learn about the logistics behind the ladening of cargo aboard ships in the 17th century and explore the science behind this ladening process through activities that demonstrate how buoyancy is affected by factors such as ballast and cargo. This workshop will also provide the opportunity to assist staff in a simulated ladening process; help load cargo from ship to shore, with a final delivery point at Town Center. 

Powerful Plants II: Trek for Tech

Woodland Indian Hamlet

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Ages 5 and up.

Join staff from the Woodland Indian Hamlet as they explore how people once gathered food, clothing, shelter and tools from the world around them. In this program, students and parents will join staff on a nature walk around the landscape, discovering native plants that have proven useful for thousands of years. After the nature walk, participants will have the hands-on opportunity to process plants such as acorns and black walnuts.

Allergy Note: This workshop involves working with acorns and black walnuts, as well as walking a nature trail with plants some people may be allergic to (poison ivy, etc.).  Parents are required to accompany students on the nature walk.

Cargo: From Shore to Store

Town Center

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Ages 8 and up.

What would you need to start a new life over 3000 miles from your home?  In this workshop students will help move a load of cargo from the Waterfront to Town Center while exploring the realities of life on the early Maryland frontier: hauling cargo with block and tackle, trying on period clothes, learning about period skills and doing their best to survive.