Field Trip Recommendations: Part 1

With the school year starting, we know teachers are hard at work with plans for the year. We've gotten quite a few questions about places to visit on field trips and thought we could help out with a blog! Here's some of our recommendations for field trips that will teach students about Florida's rich history and how archaeologists study it. Part 1 features Nassau, Duval and Clay Counties. Part 2 will feature St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and Volusia.


Nassau County
Amelia Island Museum of History
The Amelia Island Museum of History teaches visitors about local history, from native peoples through 20th century life in Florida. Educational tours focus on general Florida history, specific Nassau County history, architecture of Fernandina, Timucuan people and Victoria life. Some feature walking tours of downtown Fernandina. Admission is $4 per student and $7 per adult.

Fort Clinch
Fort Clinch teaches visitors about military life in Florida during the 19th century including the Seminole, Spanish-American and Civil Wars. The fort features a group of living history reinactors to guide visitors through the park. Admission is free if you send the park a letter requesting a fee waiver and explaining the importance of the trip to your curriculum.

Duval County
Fort Caroline
Fort Caroline teaches visitors about the French in Florida at a replica of the first French fort. A visitor center also focuses on the native peoples and environments that were here before them. This National Park Service Park offers free guided trips for school groups as well as free online curriculum for before, during and after trips. Admission to the fort and visitor center is free.


Kingsley Plantation
Kingsley Plantation teaches visitors about slavery and plantation life during the early 1800s. This National Park Service offers two guided programs for different age groups as well numerous curriculum guides for before, during and after visits, available online for free. (The Florida Public Archaeology Network also has a program about the archaeology of slave cabins at Kingsley, available at www.projectarchaeology.org.) Admission to the park is free.




Museum of Science and History
The Museum of Science and History teaches visitors about the history of Florida as well as subjects in science including astronomy, natural sciences and physical sciences. The Museum offers education programs that feature these topics. Admission to the museum is $4 per person and program fees are an additional $4 per person.


Mandarin Museum
The Mandarin Museum and Historical Society teaches visitors about life in Florida during the late 1800s through the early 1900s. This museum offers guided tours of the museum and historic structures on the property. Admission is $6-8 per student, depending on program choice.


Clay County
Camp Chowenwaw
Camp Chowenwaw offers a wide variety of programs about ecology and biology. They offer one program about the basics of archaeology provide by the Florida Public Archaeology Network and aimed at grades 4-6. Admission is free.