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Vincennes is the place to learn about Indiana’s beginning. See where Chief Tecumseh walked and the first governor of the Indiana Territory and ninth president of the United States lived and worked. Learn about the troops who mustered for the Battle of Tippecanoe, and discover the laws passed that still affect Indiana residents today. Plus, see where the first free press in Indiana was born.
Call 812.882.7422 to schedule your field trip to Vincennes State Historic Sites.
Free Admission
Free for preregistered, accredited schools of 10+ K-12 students, teachers, bus drivers, and one additional adult per five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate.
Free Admission
Free for preregistered groups of 10+ students, including one free adult per five students. Additional adults pay the group rate.
Pre-Registration
All field trips must be booked at least two weeks in advance. This ensures a personalized, engaging experience for your students.
Group Size
A minimum of 10 students is required for field trips.
Lunch
Guests are welcome to set up on the lawn, and there are nearby restaurants for students and chaperones.
Accessibility
The site is fully accessible.
Contact
Call 812.882.7422 or email [email protected] to schedule your field trip to Vincennes.
Take your students’ learning experience to the next level with hands-on, interactive educational programs designed to complement classroom lessons. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards.
Customize Your Visit
Educators may request a specialty program or activity for an additional fee. Programs include art, history, nature, science, engineering and multidisciplinary learning.
Bring the Experience to Your Location – Outreach Program
Can’t come to us? We’ll come to you with a variety of activities from one of our programs below.
Program Length
45-60 minutes
Maximum Group Size
20 students
Cost
$4/student
Program Length
45-60 minutes
Maximum Group Size
25 students
Cost
$4/student
Program Length
45-60 minutes
Cost
First session: $100
Additional sessions: $75
Travel Fees
30-60 miles: $20
60-90 miles: $40
90+ miles: $60
Take a look at our collected educator resources from across the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.
Our programs are designed to engage students with art, history, and nature in an integrated way. We focus on core educational themes that meet Indiana Academic Standards for multiple grade levels, including:
The school group tour includes a guided tour of the Jefferson Academy, Territory Capitol Building and Elihu Stout Print Shop. Students will discover the early years of Vincennes and Indiana by learning about early education at the Jefferson Academy, the beginnings of Indiana law at the Territory Capitol Building and the art of printing at the Elihu Stout Print Shop.
Available: On-site
Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies K.1.1; K.1.2; K.1.3; 1.1.1; 1.1.3; 1.1.6; 1.1.8; 1.2.1; 1.2.2; 1.2.3; 2.1.1; 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 3.1.1; 3.1.2; 3.1.3; 3.1.4; 3.1.8; 3.2.3; 3.2.4; 4.1.2; 4.1.3; 4.1.4; 5.1.6; 5.2.7; 5.2.9; 5.4.1; 6.E.1; 8.H.1; 8.H.2; 8.H.3; 8.H.14; 8.E.1
Students will explore everyday life in the early 1800s through puppetry. Activities include singing, games, chores and other everyday routines for a child in the early 1800s. Themes include how life is different and the same today, jobs in the community back then and how each person—a teacher, a printer, a farmer—contributed to the community.
Available: On-site, Outreach, Virtual
Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: K.1.1, K.1.3, K.3.6, 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3
Get your class all charged up about electricity! In 1800, “electrostatic generators” were used in Vincennes for experiments and parlor amusements. Your science class will learn the hair-raising facts about a force they take for granted every day.
Available: On-site and Outreach
Indiana Academic Standards: Science: 4-PS3-4, 4-PS4-3
Tour the original Territorial Capitol, which is considered the oldest major government building in the Midwest. The “Red House” was one of three buildings rented by the legislature from 1805 to 1813 and was the meeting place of the legislature in 1811, after the Battle of Tippecanoe.
Visit the Jefferson Academy, which was the first school of higher learning in Indiana and the predecessor of Vincennes University, tells the story of early public education. Founded in 1801 by Governor Harrison, it was the first school of higher learning in Indiana. In 1806, it became Vincennes University.
Elihu Stout’s Print Shop represents the power of communication in westward expansion. As the country expanded westward, the distribution of information was crucial to the formation of states.
We look forward to welcoming your students to the Vincennes State Historic Sites, where art, nature, and history come alive. Call us at 812.882.7422 to book your trip or send us an email at the link below.
