Field Trips
Visit The Castle for a rewarding out-of-the-classroom learning experience!
Experience life in the nineteenth century with a visit to The Castle Historic House Museum. It’s the ideal place to immerse your students in the history of nineteenth century America with experiential tours and hands-on activities. The Castle offers standards-based educational opportunities for classroom students, homeschoolers, scouts, or youth groups, and we also can tailor programs to fit your group’s area of interest.
Local Museums for Local Students Initiative
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, The Castle Museum and Campus Martius Museum are partnering to promote local history education by expanding awareness of our educational field trip opportunities for schools throughout Washington County (Ohio), Wood County (West Virginia), and the surrounding region.
Our shared goal is simple: to ensure every student in our local communities has the opportunity to visit their local museums at least once during their academic career. We believe that connecting students with the history of the Mid-Ohio Valley through hands-on experiences helps foster a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and events that shaped our region.
To help make these experiences more accessible, both museums offer transportation assistance to help offset bus and driver costs for qualifying schools.
Together, we have put together a suggested progression of field trips that aligns with elementary grade levels. While these recommendations provide a pathway for students to experience different aspects of local history, teachers are welcome to select the programs that best complement their curriculum.
Field Trip Planning
Plan Ahead
We recommend scheduling your field trip as far in advance as possible, especially for our busiest months, April and May. We have limited availability for field trips each month, so early booking is key. Our programs run throughout the academic year, August through May, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your group.
Please note: Programs must be booked no later than two weeks in advance. No exceptions. Payment is preferred two weeks in advance, but will be accepted the day of the program in the amount due for the number of participants quoted at the time of booking.
Request your field trip here or contact the Castle’s Education Director via phone or email for more information.
Field Trip Resources
Teacher Orientation Packet:
Before booking, review our Teacher Orientation Packet for essential pre-trip details, including a field trip checklist, policies, chaperone forms, curriculum standards, and activities.
[Download the Teacher Orientation Packet]
Bus Fund:
To help with travel costs, schools may apply for up to $200 in funding through our Bus Fund, generously supported by our members.
[Download the Bus Fund Application]
Educational Programs Brochure:
Learn more about our offerings by downloading our Educational Programs Brochure.
[Download the Brochure]
Virtual Field Trips:
If you are interested in virtual field trip options, please contact us for more information.
Field Trip Options
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Your group can enjoy the educational opportunities of The Castle with group tours led by our knowledgeable docents. Participants will learn about the history of The Castle as well as Marietta, Washington County, and American history; nineteenth century architecture, furniture, and design; the Civil War; and lifestyles, roles, and culture of nineteenth century men, women, and children, including former Castle residents.
OH Social Studies Standards Met: 3.3, 3.2, 3.5, 3.8, 3.6, 3.16, 4.2, 4.8, 4.12, 4.14, 4.23, 5.16, 5.7
WV Social Standards Met: 4.13, 4.8
Timeframe: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Availability: Throughout the year
Min: 10; Max: 50
Cost: $8 adults; $5 students -
Students will enjoy a guided tour through the ancient Mound Cemetery and will hear stories of Adena and Hopewell Mound Builders, Marietta founders, Revolutionary War veterans, and other historically significant Mariettans.
OH Social Studies Standards Met: Coming Soon
WV Social Standards Met: Coming Soon
Timeframe: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Availability: March – November (weather permitting)
Min: 10; Max: 50
Cost: $7 adults; $7 students -
Combine a tour of our historic house museum, The Castle, with a visit to Mound Cemetery, just a short walk away. This adventure in history accommodates multiple classes.
OH Social Studies Standards Met: 3.3, 3.2, 3.5, 3.8, 3.6, 3.16, 4.2, 4.8, 4.12, 4.14, 4.23, 5.16, 5.7, (More TBA)
WV Social Standards Met: 4.13, 4.8, (More TBA)
Timeframe: 1 hour 45 minutes
Availability: March – November (weather permitting)
Min: 10; Max: 100
Cost: $12 adults; $10 students -
In addition to the house tour, groups receive a catered Victorian style tea with finger foods. Participants will have the opportunity to practice Victorian etiquette and manners.
Timeframe: 2 hours
Availability: Throughout the year
Min: 12; Max: 48
Cost: $20 adults; $15 students -
Tour the house, cook like a pioneer, create a craft from the past, and learn games from long ago. This is a hands-on program that teaches how food was obtained, prepared, preserved, and cooked in the nineteenth century. Participants help fix a rustic stew, cornbread, and applesauce cake cooked in our fireplace and then served as the midday meal. Groups choose from a variety of craft activities, for example: leatherwork, pottery, thaumatrope, and paper weaving. We also include indoor and/or outdoor (weather permitting) pastimes (aka games) for this program.
OH Social Studies Standards Met: 3.3, 3.2, 3.5, 3.8, 3.6, 3.16, 3.7, 3.17, 3.19, 4.2, 4.8, 4.12, 4.14, 4.23, 4.13, 5.16, 5.7, 5.15, 5.17, 5.18
WV Social Standards Met: 3.9, 3.17, 3.19, 4.5, 4.9, 4.8, 4.17, 4.13
Please Note: This field trip option is restricted to 3rd grade students and above. Also, with this program a meal is provided, as described above. We cook our meal so that all participants, including chaperones, can partake. Those not interested in the meal may bring their own bagged lunch, but we do not provide refrigeration. Please notify us of dietary restrictions.
Timeframe: 4 hours
Availability: September – May; Tuesdays or Wednesdays; Begins at 10 am
Min: 12; Max: 40
Cost: $8 adults; $8 students -
This field trip introduces students to the concept of a house museum and encourages them to explore how daily life has changed over time. As they move through this historic home, students will compare nineteenth-century life with their own experiences and consider how changes in technology, household conveniences, and modern amenities have shaped the way we live.
The tour is highly interactive, incorporating touchable objects, discussion, and hands-on activities. Students will have opportunities to observe, ask questions, and make connections between the past and their own lives.
OH Social Studies Standards Met: Coming Soon
WV Social Standards Met: Coming Soon
Timeframe: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Availability: Throughout the year
Min: 10; Max: 50
Cost: $8 adults; $8 students
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Your group can explore the history of The Castle through engaging guided tours led by our knowledgeable docents. Participants will discover the history of The Castle, Marietta, Washington County, and the United States while exploring nineteenth-century architecture, furniture, and design. Tours can also highlight the Civil War and the everyday lives, roles, traditions, and culture of the nineteenth-century residents who called The Castle home. This experience can build on our “Living Like a Victorian” program or can provide an engaging introduction for students visiting The Castle for the first time.
Enhance your visit with a hands-on experience:
Traditional Crafts: Pair your tour with a hands-on craft such as weaving or pottery, giving students the opportunity to explore nineteenth-century skills and creative traditions.
Historic Pastimes: Add a Pastimes activity for a fun, interactive experience where students can learn and play games that were popular during the mid-1800s.
OH Social Studies Standards Met: 3.3, 3.2, 3.5, 3.8, 3.6, 3.16, 3.7, 3.17, 3.19, 4.2, 4.8, 4.12, 4.14, 4.23, 4.13, 5.16, 5.7, 5.15, 5.17, 5.18
WV Social Standards Met: 3.9, 3.17, 3.19, 4.5, 4.9, 4.8, 4.17, 4.13
Timeframe: 3 hours
Availability: Throughout the year
Min: 12; Max: 60
Cost: $8 adults; $8 students
