Scheduling Your Field Trip

Please have the following information ready when you call the History Center Scheduling Office at 651-259-3400:

• The specific program or programs you are selecting from the Museum Package or the Museum-Plus Package
• Name of teacher or other leader designated to receive confirmation materials and serve as group contact
• Lunch plans for your group
• Date and time you want to schedule your visit, with alternate dates
• School name, address, and phone number
• Grade level
• Number of students
• Number of chaperones
• Accommodations for special needs your group may require

You will be sent a confirmation after you schedule your History Center field trip.

Lunches

Lunchroom spaces are limited and must be reserved in advance. Reservations will be made on a first come, first serve basis. There is no charge for use of the lunchroom.

• Multiple groups may share space in the lunchroom at one time.
• Lunch periods of 25 minutes are scheduled on the half hour, starting at 11 a.m. The last lunch period starts at 1:30 p.m.
• Students may also eat bag lunches outside on the Laura Jane Musser Plaza when weather permits. Food and beverages are not available for purchase in the MacMillan Education Center lunchroom. There are no vending machines on-site.
• Please call 651-259-3030 to purchase lunches from Café Minnesota, the restaurant in the History Center. See a menu of the box lunch.

Chaperones

Great chaperones make great field trips! Chaperones are admitted free during your History Center visit.

We request that you bring one chaperone per 5-7 students for grades K-6, or one chaperone per 10 students for grades 7-12. Chaperones must remain with their assigned students throughout your museum visit, including lunch.

Chaperone Guide (pdf). Print and copy for each chaperone.

Special Needs

The History Center is accessible for all students. Please let us know, at least three weeks in advance, if you have students who will need auxiliary aids or services, including a sign language interpreter, while participating in History Center school programs. Wheelchairs are available on site for use during your visit. We also have a private space and restroom for diaper changing and tube feeding.

Other visitor amenities

Grainland

Grainland is reserved for students in grades K - 6, with highest priority given to the youngest students. You will be notified on the day of your visit at check in if your group will receive a Grainland time.

Grainland can accommodate 30 students every 15 minutes and is facilitated by a museum staff member. Due to space limitations, we cannot guarantee that all students will be able to experience Grainland. If you have any concerns, based on curriculum needs, please contact the Scheduling Office at 651-259-3400.

Confirmations

After you schedule your field trip visit, you will be sent a confirmation. Check your mail for a packet of materials (one packet for every 25 students registered) that includes:

• A letter of confirmation and an itemized program schedule
• A field-trip checklist with descriptions of the exhibits at the History Center
• Information about museum etiquette, drop-off and check-in instructions, bus parking, and an itinerary worksheet. These materials should be copied and distributed to all chaperones.
• Chaperone Guide will be included in your packet to copy for all chaperones.

Previewing the Exhibits

To preview the exhibits free of charge before your school visit, teachers may show their school ID at the ticketing desk during regular museum hours.