School Field Trips
Come & Experience Ashland
Ashland’s staff is happy to work with you in planning entertaining and educational programs for your students. In addition to the historic mansion, there are just under 17 acres of wooded grounds, several original outbuildings, walking paths, and a formal garden. We also have ample parking for school buses and large modern restrooms.
Our maximum capacity for a field trip is 60 people. If you have more than 60 we are happy to work with you to schedule two different times on the same day or two separate days. We often have schools who take half their group to another site and switch groups mid-day.
Basic Tours
Ashland offers two basic school tours:
The first tour is designed for grades 2-5. It consists of a tour of the grounds and outbuildings, a special video that shows what a child’s life was like in the 1800′s and a tour through the mansion.
The second tour is for grades 6-12. It includes a video about Henry Clay and his importance in American history, a tour through the mansion and the estate’s outbuildings.
Special Tours
History Safari In March and April we offer a two hour school tour with emphasis on interactive exploration of Ashland. We ask that our safari tours not be open to full parent participation so that we can keep our group sizes manageable. If parents do need to come we will discuss numbers with you when we schedule.
Artifact Adventures
Usually offered in September and October, this year we are only scheduling for the last two weeks in October due to WEG. In addition to taking our tour of the estate, students participating in this activity will have a hands on experience examining and analyzing Nineteenth Century Artifacts. This field trip requires a minimum of two hours. ( Click here to learn more.)
The Trees of Ashland
A special tour that includes a tour of the formal garden and the grounds with an emphasis on identifying and learning about trees and leaves. There are 40 different varieties of trees at Ashland. This tour can be taken on its own in approximately one hour or combined with the house tour for a two hour time. This tour needs to be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.
Holidays at Ashland
From late November through December, special holiday tours are offered to school groups. A different theme is highlighted each year. The program takes approximately 2 hours. The tour is limited to 60 students, but we are happy to schedule larger groups at two different times.
Henry Clay for Young Students
For pre school through first grade groups we offer a program that includes a brief Power Point introducing Henry. After watching the presentation students will ” become Henry Clay” by putting on top hats. Then with the use of props students will put on a short play that tells the story of Clay that they saw on the Power Point. Following this introduction the group will take a walk through the house where they will play “Where’s Henry” and tour the grounds to see the outbuildings. This field trip takes approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Admission Fees
To qualify for student rates we require payment for a minimum of 10 students. Our deposit is based on this 10 student minimum. There is no charge for teachers or teacher assistants*. Non-staff who chaperone will be charged the group tour rate of $6.00 per person.
* Home Schools- There will be no admission charge for one adult accompanying a group of 20 or less. Additional parents/adults will be charged the group tour rate of $6.00 per person.
- Basic Student Group Tour- $3.00 per student ($30.00 deposit).
- Henry Clay for Young Students- $3.00 per student ($30.00 deposit).
- The Trees of Ashland- $3.00 per student, $4.00 with added house tour.
- Holiday Tours- $4.00 per student ($40.00 deposit).
- History Safari- $4.00 per student.( $40.00 deposit)
- Artifact Adventures- $5.00 per student ($50.00 deposit).
Scheduling Your Field Trip
When you call or e-mail our education coordinator please give the following information:
- School name, address and phone number.
- Teacher or contact person’s name and e-mail.
- Grade level and expected number of students and adults.
- At least two possible dates.
Please schedule as far in advance as possible. You will need time to send in the deposit and receive our information packet and we will need time to schedule the correct number of docents for your tour!
Call Becci Ray at 859-266-8581, ext. 12 to schedule your tour at Ashland or e-mail bray@henryclay.org
Check the Event Calendar for Upcoming Educational Programs
