South Windsor boasts a rich colonial history that stretches back to Adriaen Block’s 17th century exploration of the Connecticut River. The Wood Library and Museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the past in context through the investigation of The Wood’s rich archives and with hands-on activities.
Programs are designed to coordinate with the new Connecticut Social Studies Standards. Content Standards our programs cover include:
- 3.His.2.b. Comparing life today to the lived experiences of cultural groups in the past
- 3.His.10.a. Compare information provided by different historical sources
- 3.Geo.6.a. How environmental and cultural characteristics influence where people live and work
- 3.Geo.8.a. How the location of Connecticut industries has been influenced by access to natural resources
- 3.Eco.3.a. Identify examples of resources in Connecticut that are used to produce goods and services
- 3.His.1.a. Put events related to innovations and industries in chronological order
- 3.His.9.a. How multiple historical sources explain the importance of a notable inventor or invention
- 5.His.14.b. The causes and effects of European exploration and settlement of the Americas
- 5.His.5.a. How the culture and experiences of African, Indigenous, and European people influenced their perspectives during the Age of Exploration
- 5.Geo.4.a. How cultural diffusion of agricultural and technological knowledge contributed to North American settlements
- 5.Civ.6.a. Describe gender roles in early United States History
- 5.Eco.3.a. Identify examples of resources used to produce goods and services in colonial settlements
- 5.Eco.4.a. Compare the reasons for different areas of specialization and trade in the colonies
- 5.His.14.d. Explain Connecticut’s connection to the transatlantic slave trade Coming Soon
- 5.His.4.b. Explain why members of the Northeastern Woodland Native American tribes and Black communities held conflicting views regarding support for the American Revolution
- 8.His.6.a. Analyze the perspectives of both enslaved and free Black people through the historical sources they created
- 8.Civ.5.a. Explain laws that institutionalized slavery in the Colonial Era and in the Constitution
- 8.His.1.c. Analyze the events and developments related to the institution of slavery in the early republic
- 8.His.3.a. Develop questions to analyze the significance of the methods of resistance employed by enslaved and free Black people Coming Soon
Our Colonial and Early American programs utilize both The Wood Memorial Library and Museum and various period buildings throughout South Windsor in conjunction with the South Windsor Historical Society to create a meaningful educational experience for students. Stations and activities may include:
- Candle Dipping
- Quill and Ink
- Shipbuilding and Commerce on the Connecticut River
- Local Crafts, Trades, and Inventors
- One Room Schoolhouse
- Colonial Games
Please contact Amanda Flynn Rumney, Education Director, at (860) 289-1783, ext. 6 for more information.