Living in Colonial Times

Gadsby's Tavern Museum
134 North Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838 4242

Instructional Unit:
Tour of an 18th century inn. Gadsby's Tavern has a tour guide who greets the children in costume and directs the children through the inn. S/he guides the children from room to room and explains the function of each room. The children handle tools used at the inn and they try to guess the use of the tool. They also observe the dining room which is set for an evening meal.

Curriculum Unit:
Grade 1
Social Studies

Objectives:

1. The students will observe the life style of an 18th century inn
2. The students will observe and try to identify tools and their use at the inn.
3. The children will become aware of the food, clothing and sleeping quarters at the inn.
4. The children will count fireplaces and bathrooms.
5. The children will observe the location of the kitchen.

Pre-Visit Activities:

1. Beginning two weeks before we tour the museum, read books with the class about 18th-century living.
2. Make tavern biscuits and switchel, and we put on a play about travelers who stay at the inn.
3. Learn about John Gadsby and the history of the inn.

On-Site Activities:
Conducted by tour guide.

Follow-Up Activities:
The children will work in a cooperative learning setting of 3 students per group. In the group, they will discuss what they saw at the museum. the groups have to decide on three things the tavern had to offer a traveler. Each group will compose a travel brochure for an 18th century traveler. Each student in the group must draw one picture depicting one aspect of the museum that hey enjoyed and write one or two sentences about their picture. These pictures will be compiled into a booklet with a designed cover. Each group will have their own booklet. These booklets will be displayed in the school library.

Appendices: None

Bibliography: None

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