Education

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Programming at Castle Kilbride

How can you educate your students about history? The answer is simple - you take them there! At Castle Kilbride, we would be pleased to take your students back to the grandeur and opulence of the Victorian era or learn about the traditions of the Livingston family or perhaps turn your students into “Knights” at the Castle. We pride ourselves by offering interactive and informative programs. Castle Kilbride offers a full array of curriculum-based programming to meet all of your needs. All programs include a tour of the 1877 grand Victorian home as well as a hands-on activity and/or craft. For more information, please contact the museum.

Playing in the past

Grades JK, SK and 1

Laura Louise, the little girl who grew up at Castle Kilbride, loved toys. She is reputed to have had one of the largest collections in all of Canada. Content: Tour of Castle, play with toys of the past and make a thaumatrope toy to take home.

Duration: 1 hour

Warming by the Fire: Customs at Castle Kilbride

Grade 2

*Offered last week of November and all of December.

Join us this festive season as we share the customs and traditions from around the world as celebrated by the Livingston family long ago. Students will discover the traditions of Scottish Hogmanay, German Weihnachten and Victorian customs as they tour the beautifully decorated home. Content: Tour of decorated Castle, hands-on activity and create a traditional Victorian seasonal craft to take home.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Just the Flax: Life in Early Waterloo County

Linseed oil mill

Grade 3

What was life like in the early days of Waterloo County? We explore this topic through the eyes of James Livingston and his wife Louisa. Louisa was born in Wilmot Township in 1840 and grew up in Baden as it was being formed. James was born in East Kilbride, Scotland and sought a better life in Canada like many new immigrants. James made his fortune in the flax industry. Flax is used in items such as linen and linseed oil. Content: Tour of Castle- everything flax, hands-on activity using pioneer reproductions and flax craft.

Duration: 1.5 hours

A Knight at the Castle

Grade 4

This program is designed to compare the difference between a Medieval Castle and our 19th Century grand Victorian home. The similarities are incredible! Your “Knights” will then learn how to spot a friend or foe just by looking at his heraldry. Content: Tour of Castle examining the “Castle” features discover what common household items are medieval inventions and create a personal Heraldry shield to take home.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Artifacts

Grades 5, 6 or 7

We are pleased to offer this unique hands-on program called Artifacts. Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at a museum? Students will participate in an extensive guided tour through Castle Kilbride, experience what it is like to handle and catalogue artifacts as well they will have the opportunity to investigate photographs from the collection and gather important information.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Impressive Illusions

Grades 7 and 8

Castle Kilbride was designated a National Historic Site in 1995 because of the magnificent trompe l'oeil (French for “fools the eye”) wall murals, deemed the finest example in Canada. While touring the Castle, students will examine the murals in depth and also discover the difference between two and three-dimensional works of art. Content: In-depth tour of Castle and paintings, hands-on activity where students will create their own piece of art using the trompe l'oeil technique. Visual arts: Knowledge of Elements, Creative Work, Critical Thinking

Duration: 1.5 hours

Castle Quest-general tour

If you have a large group (30 to 50 students) or have a limited amount of time, this is the tour for your class! The program features a guided tour of the home plus a take home activity. The time can be adjusted to meet your needs.

Homeschool

Stay tuned for our 2023 programs.

Secondary School

We would be happy to customize a tour to meet the specific needs of your class.

Post-Secondary School

We would be happy to customize a tour to meet the specific needs of your class.

We have a popular History of Furniture tour which is great for design students.

Booking information

Be sure to book your visit as soon as possible to avoid disappointment by contacting Castle Kilbride

Programs are offered Monday through Friday.

Morning Session: 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Afternoon Session: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Note: These times may be adjusted to meet your needs. The Playing in the Past program is only 1 hour.

Cost

$5.00 per student (taxes included) Teachers and up to 5 chaperones are complimentary. We require one adult for every six students. Payment is required in full the day of your visit. We accept cash, debit, cheque, Visa and MasterCard. Cheques are to be made payable to “Township of Wilmot-Castle Kilbride”.

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