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Education Program

Historic RittenhouseTown offers a unique interpretive program that teaches about life in an early American village. The program welcomes up to 3,000 students every year and is a great educational resource for students learning about American history. Historic RittenhouseTown accommodates groups of all ages. Please note the minimum and maximum requirements for each program option. The education program is offered only on weekdays. If you would like to book a group tour on a weekend, please visit our TOURS page for prices and policies.

Once you have selected your program from the list below, contact the office at information@rittenhousetown.org or 215-438-5711 to schedule your visit. Reservations should be made no less than two weeks in advance, though some exceptions can be made. A 25% deposit is required prior to the day of your trip and is refundable only if a cancellation is made three or more days in advance.

Click here to view some FAQs about scheduling a trip to RittenhouseTown.

A-Historic Tour

Meet with an experienced guide in our Visitor Center for an interactive tour and discussion of RittenhouseTown and its contributions to American history. View a working model of an 18th century paper mill, an early American kitchen, A David Rittenhouse clock and an exceptional timeline. Continue your tour with a visit RittenhouseTown’s exceptional 18th century bake house.

Price: $2.50 per person
Minimum: 10 people not including chaperones. If you do not have the minimum and would still like to participate, you will be charged a flat rate of $25.

Maximum: 20 people not including chaperones

Start time: 10AM (unless other special arrangements have been made)

Duration: Approximately 1 hour

B-Historic Tour and Hands-On Papermaking Experience-

Our Most Popular Program

Learn to use early techniques to make paper just like William Rittenhouse, British North America’s first papermaker. This is a great way to learn about RittenhouseTown's contributions to American society as well as the importance of early American occupations and resources. Don’t forget to take your paper with you when you leave! This option also includes everything described in section A.

Price: $5.00 per person
Minimum: 10 people not including chaperones. If you have 5 to 9 people in your group and would still like to participate, you will be charged a flat rate of $50.
Maximum: 45 people not including chaperones

Start time: 10AM

Duration: Approximately 2 hours

C-Historic Tour, Hands-On Papermaking and German Colonial Cooking

Work with our cook and use traditional tools to create a German colonial-style dish in our original 18th century bake house. This hearth-cooking experience is great for learning about early American domestic practices. This option includes everything described in sections A and B.

Price: $10.00 per person
Minimum: 25 people not including chaperones. If you do not have the minimum and would still like to participate, you will be charged a flat rate of $250.
Maximum: 50 people not including chaperones

Start time: 10AM

Duration: Approximately 3 hours. Includes a break for lunch

D-Historic Tour, Hands-On Papermaking and Colonial Printing

What happened to the paper once it left RittenhouseTown? Learn about Colonial printing by using a reproduction printing press. This option includes everything described in sections A and B.

Start time: 10AM

Duration: Approximately 3 hours. Includes a break for lunch

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