Delaware Historical Society

The Read House is located in the heart of historic New Castle, Delaware’s colonial capital. The Read House, built in 1803 by George Read (son of George Read, the signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution), stands as a living history teaching tool to encourage students to compare and contrast their daily lives with life in the past. All Read House School programs enhance and reinforce the Delaware State Standards. Enrich your field trip experience by booking the New Castle Adventure tour. Students will cross over cobblestone streets, walk to and learn about historic town sites, visit the New Castle Court House Museum, the Dutch House, and Amstel House for a full day of adventure.

For directions, click here.

To schedule call Antoinette at 302-295-3284 or amaccari@dehistory.org

NEW ACTIVITIES!	Introducing the Read House - NEW ACTIVITIES!! What is now old was once modern! Compare and contrast daily life two hundred years ago, in the grand twenty-two room mansion, to today’s modern life-styles. Eight period rooms demonstrate how the Read family and servants worked and lived in the early 1800s. 1 hour, $2.00per student. Suggested for grades K-6^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; Social Studies (Geography) 1; Social Studies (Economics) 1; and Science 1.
	Traveling the Backstairs: Servants' Lives Behind-the-Scenes Experience a day in the life of a day-servant in Mr. Read’s grand mansion; a costumed interpreter portrays Rachel Green, showing you where servants worked and lived behind-the-scenes. After the napkins are washed and the cakes are baked, your proper day’s work will be rewarded with a treat in the kitchen. 1 hour $3.00 per student. Suggested for grades K-3^rd. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; Social Studies (Economics) 1, 2; and Science 2.
	Curtsy and Bow: Childhood in the 1800s Experience the life of a Read child. Visit the Nursery where babies and young children lived, learned, played, and ate over 200 years ago. Hands-on activities include making a toy to take home as a memento. 1 hour, $3.00 per student Suggested for grades K-3^rd. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; Visual Arts 1; and Theatre 2.
NEW ACTIVITIES!	Read House History Detectives - NEW ACTIVITIES!! Explore the artifacts and primary source documents of the Read House to discover the story of three families, servants, and museum curators who lived and worked in the house since 1803. Teachers customize this program by choosing rooms to visit and activities. 1 to 3 hours depending on teacher selections, $6.00 per student. Suggested for grades 4^th-6^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; (Geography) 1; Social Studies (Economics) 1; Science 2; and Visual Arts 1, 4.
	Artisans and Apprenticeships Learn special tricks-of-the-trade passed down from artisan to apprentice while adorning the stylish yet functional Read House. Students become artisans and use fancy painting techniques on a bandbox that they take home. 1 ½ hours, $3.00 per student. Suggested for grades 4^th-6^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; (Geography) 3; Social Studies (Economics) 1, 2, 3; Science 2; and Visual Arts 1, 2, 4.
	New Castle Adventure Four history museums combine for a unique learning experience! Discover adventure in our colonial capital's history. Explore the Read House, Court House, Dutch and Amstel Houses (optional walking tour). 2- 4 hours depending on teacher selections, $1.50- 4.50 per student Suggested for grades 3^rd-6^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; and (Geography) 1, 3.
	Walking Tour: The Strand Explore life and business on George Read’s street; learn about transportation, the Delaware River, and Delaware’s first horse-drawn railroad. Discover the curiosities of fire plaques, busybodies, and boot scrapers! 30 minutes, $1.00 per student Suggested for grades K-6^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; and (Geography) 1, 3.
	Walking Tour: The Town Explore town life along the Green and cobblestoned Market Street, surveying the town’s historic buildings and landmarks to imagine life in a bustling commercial town in the 1800s. 1 hour, $1.50 per student. Suggested for grades 3^rd-6^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; and (Geography) 1, 3.
	Seasonal Offerings: A Twelfth Night Ball (November 10-December 31) (Limited time frame, please call Antoinette at 302-295-3284) Read family holiday traditions are revealed in preparation for a Twelfth Night Ball. See holiday decorations, create a mask, listen to music and dance down the grand halls of Mr. Read’s fine mansion. 1 hour, $3.00 per student. Suggested for grades K-4^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; and Visual Arts 1, 4, 5.
	Seasonal Offerings: Bones and Stones (September-November & March-May) (Limited time frame, please call Antoinette at 302-295-3284) Discover customs surrounding death, burial and mourning by examining historic artifacts and images. Then, embark on a tombstone scavenger hunt in a local cemetery to learn about styles and symbolism of gravestones in the 1700s and 1800s. 1 ½ hours, $3.00 per student. Suggested for grades 4^th-6^th. Supports Delaware State Standards in Social Studies (History) 1, 2, 3, 4; Science 6; and Visual Arts 3, 5.