Hands on History

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2016 was the ninth year for Hands on History, the museum’s most popular educational program that teaches children what Victorian life was like through games, crafts, music and even an archaeological dig. 2015 saw a significant expansion partnering with Campfire, Valle Lindo Homes and the YMCA, more than doubling the number of children served to over 1,000. This year will continue that expansion into many classrooms as well as our summer programs.  The goal this year is to serve over 1,600 kids.

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In keeping with the event’s “hands-on” theme, the activities included an archaeological dig, introduction to the historic games of hopscotch and marbles, weaving projects and the making of Victorian postage stamps, chalk, marbles, and keepsake scrapbooks.

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A special feature of the event in 2015 was a visit by the BurkeMobile, a special traveling program of the Burke Museum, the natural and cultural history museum of the University of Washington. It brought Native American objects, real fossils, mammal skulls, and museum-prepared birds to Kirkman House. Traveling exhibits will continue to be part of Hands on History.

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