Can’t make it to the museum but want to take a trip back in time?
Most families in the 1800’s could not afford to buy toys, so materials for toys and games had to be inexpensive and easy to make.
Annual membership is only $30 and a charitable receipt is given for all donations to the museum, including membership. Click the button below to find out more details including a membership form.
We want to bring the museum to you! We have developed a virtual museum program with curriculum links to Social Studies, Language and Math. This virtual program has been created through Google and is geared for students in grades 2-4, and teachers!
By clicking the button below, you will have access to everything you need, including information on how to use the virtual museum, links to additional resources, curriculum connections, and more! While this experience has been developed for educators and their students, individuals are able to access it as well!
Please contact the museum at info@fcsmuseum.com if you have any questions!
Welcome to "Retro Recess" a look back at the active games children played during school recess in the 19th and 20th centuries. Download the pdf files to learn more about the origins of these games and perhaps bring back memories of playing them yourself !
Clapping games Musical rhythm, rhyme and co-ordination
Group games played with participants in a circle "Duck, Duck, Goose", Drop the Handkerchief", "Musical Chairs"
Games for larger groups - part 1 "What Time is it Mr. Wolf", "Dead Man Arise", "Red Light, Green Light", "Fox and Chickens"
Games for larger groups - part 2 "British Bulldog"
Games for 1 or 2 people using simple items "Game of Graces", "Hoop Rolling", "Cat's Cradle"
Classic games: Hopscotch Jump Rope Tug of War
Visit our YouTube channel to see our collection of crafty videos or click on the individual craft links below.
2021
July 3 - Flower Bombs - Do you want to get flower seeds into a hard to reach place? Try a flower bomb.
July 10 - Fir-cone Figures - Create animal figurines using the cones from fir trees and other natural items. The video description for fir-cone figurines contains detailed instructions.
July 17 - PotPourri - Make your own room fresheners with this simple recipe for potpourri .
July 24 - Rock Painting - Follow these instructions for insect inspired painting you can do on rocks. (pdf file opens in a new window)
July 31 - Make a Newspaper - Create your own newspaper with these simple instructions.
August 7 - Model House - Learn how to build a model log house using small branches and pebbles.
August 14 - Spiral Bracelet - Make a spiral bracelet with these easy directions.
August 21 - Paper boxes - Use two sheets of paper to make a box that you can use to store trinkets.
August 28 - Strawberry jam - Make this small batch of delicious strawberry jam using just three ingredients. The recipe is in the video description.
2020
July 4 - Paper dolls have been a popular craft for generations. Learn how to make paper dolls. The template is in the video description or you can find it here.
July 11 - Pressed flowers - Pressed flowers can be used for many crafts.
July 18 - Thaumatropes were a popular Victorian craft. Learn more about thaumatropes and how to make them.
July 25 - Paper Weaving is a fun and historic craft. Learn how to do paper weaving.
August 1 - Folded picture frames - Use simple folding techniques to make a decorative picture frame.
August 8 - Sewing cards - Used to help students develop motor skills, sewing cards were a common craft in early schools. The link to the template can be found here or in the description of the video.
August 15 - Watercolouring - Learn about watercolouring and using crayons for watercolouring resistance.
August 22 - Handkerchief Dolls - Make your own handkerchief doll in a few simple steps using everyday items found around the house.
August 29 - Paper Chains - A very old craft, paper cutting was often taught in schools. The link to the template is in the description of the video and can also be found here.
October 10 - Dried Leaf Lantern - Pressed flowers and leaves have long been important keepsakes to remember special moments. They were often put on display or kept in the pages of a book. This pressed leaf lantern craft turns these keepsakes into a fall decoration.
December 19 - Salt Dough Ornaments - Using a simple recipe with only three ingredients, kids can enjoy a craft and create festive salt dough ornament decorations.
Download the following activity pages (pdf format) so you can do some nineteenth century learning at home!
Make a Whirligig (2 variations) Whirligigs instructions
Paper Weaving Craft paper weaving instructions
Science: grade 1 and grade 4 (includes shadow puppets) Open the Science projects
Visual Arts: grades K-8 (paper cutting) Open the Visual Arts projects
Literacy: grades K-8 (word games) Open the Literacy games
Spelling: grades 1-5 Spelling bees were often used to teach literacy in schools. Learn how to run your own Spelling Bee complete with word suggestions!
Do you have some free time to offer?
Here are some current volunteer opportunities:
Board of Directors: Volunteers willing to sit on the Board of Directors of the Museum.
Public Programming and Special Events Volunteer: We are always looking for additional volunteers to assist the museum with our public programs such as: teaching a lesson as an early 1900's schoolmarm or schoolmaster, assisting at community outreach events such as the Regional Heritage Fair and March of the Museums and helping organize and plan other outreach events such as speaker series.
Museum Maintenance Volunteer: Volunteers willing to assist in general day-to-day maintenance of the museum are a wonderful asset to our team. Duties include but are not limited to; tidying, dusting, organizing and picking up supplies for the museum.
Marketing Volunteer: We are looking for volunteers to help us enhance the museum's online and public presence through the development of entertaining and engaging social media posts and preparing marketing packages for schools and community groups in the area.
The time commitments required for these positions vary and can be adjusted to fit your schedule.
Please contact the museum to learn more about these opportunities.
Please visit the Support & Donate page of this website for opportunities.