Following a tremendous success offering free field trips in February 2019, this year the Heritage Center will expand the program into March to accommodate more children, teachers, and chaperones.
Christine Bacon, Interim Director of Education at the Heritage Center said of the free field trips, “Since we opened in 2018, we’ve been looking for ways to bring every student in Niagara County to the Heritage Center to learn about the amazing history right in their backyards. By removing the barriers of cost for admission and the costs of transportation we can offer our field trips to more youth in our county.” She continued, “At the Heritage Center we connect local history to the broader context of the Underground Railroad, highlighting real freedom seekers and abolitionists for whom Niagara Falls was the gateway to freedom.”
Throughout the month the Heritage Center hopes to be packed with students in the mornings but invites everyone in the region to experience the museum and the stories as well. Evan Wright, the Heritage Center Visitor Services Manager says, “At the Heritage Center, we focus on Black History every month of the year, but we welcome visitors to spend extra time with this history during February. The stories we share at this museum have something in them for everyone.”
Transportation to the Heritage Center from all K-12 schools in Niagara County will be reimbursed by the Heritage Center. The Heritage Center can accommodate field trips from 10-60 students, teachers, and chaperones. Groups of that size should plan to spend 60-90 minutes on-site. Field trips can be booked Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Schools should book directly with the Heritage Center by emailing Tours@NiagaraFallsUndergroundRailroad.org or calling 716.300.8477.