Abundant Gifts Community Outreach
This lively program uses Fruitlands' collections and archive to explore connections between the land and trees along with the stories, events and people that have shaped New England. Designed for family, youth and adult groups, this program can be presented in your community or be combined with a trip to Fruitlands. To learn about program availability and fees, contact Laurie Butters, our Curator of Interpretation & Collections Management, at 978.456.3924 ext. 239.
This program is generously supported by the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation, Crossroads Community Foundation, Sun Hill Foundation and the Local Cultural Councils of Bolton, Groton, Maynard, Pepperell & Townsend.

Fruitlands offers the following outreach programs that allow us to visit your school during our off-season (November through April).  Programs are one hour in length and work best when done one class at a time, a maximum of 4 programs can be conducted in one day.  The first program costs $150; additional programs on the same day are $75 each.  A $0.50/mile fee also applies to cover the distance to and from Fruitlands Museum. 

Grades 1 through 4

Beans, Bones, Bark and Buffalo

Based on Fruitlands' Native American collection, this program offers an overview of four culture areas: Northeast, Plains, Southwest and North Coast. Using both genuine artifacts and modern reproductions, students will learn how each native group fulfilled basic needs of food, shelter and clothing with materials found in their own environment.

• Interactive overview of each cultural area led by Fruitlands interpreters.
• Features a number of historic artifacts.
• Ideal for 2^nd and 3^rd grade students.

Greades 4 through 6

Digging History: An Introduction to Archaeology

Based on a real archaeological dig at Fruitlands Museum, this program allows students to learn about archaeology and the history of Massachusetts.  Program will include:

• Introduction to the science of archaeology.
• Interactive component that allows students to participate in a mock archaeological “dig” in the classroom.  Students will uncover real and replica artifacts that represent the actual finds from the dig at Fruitlands.  These artifacts illustrate the history of Massachusetts from thousands of years ago until the present. 
• Ideal for 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students.