Discovery Backpacks
Introducing the Falmouth Historical Society’s Discovery Backpacks, now available for families to borrow from our visitors’ center! These engaging backpacks are designed to introduce young audiences to the rich history of Falmouth through exciting, mission-related activities. Each backpack includes games and learning tools that cater to various learning styles, helping to develop tactile, visual, and logical skills. The backpacks are intended for children ages 4+. Activities such as designing a town green, harvesting cranberries, embarking on a whaling voyage, and exploring our historic campus through an outdoor discovery scavenger hunt make history come alive. The backpacks are inclusive, accommodating children with visual and hearing impairments by incorporating sensory elements like touch, smell, and sound.
Designing a Town Green: In this activity children create a town green similar to Falmouth town green, participants use wooden blocks with pictures of stores, houses, churches etc. to create their ideal green. Children will learn about the history of the green, what goes into town planning, and New England architecture.
Cranberry Harvest: In this activity, participants receive a reproduction cranberry bog with numbered red marbles to symbolize cranberry bogs and a miniature cranberry scoop. Like monopoly, there are series of cards based on real events and families related to the historic cranberry industry in East Falmouth. There will be gains and setbacks as participants learn about the history and harvest their miniature bogs. The first participant to get their marble “bogs” to add up to 20 or more wins the game.
Outdoor Discovery Scavenger Hunt: In this activity, participants will go on an exploration of our historic campus to identify garden features, architecture, and wildlife.
A Long Whaling Voyage: In this activity, participants pretend they are a sailor preparing for a long journey away from Falmouth. They will receive a card with the information of a real sailor from Falmouth and hear about their journey. Based on this information the participants will then have to decide which items they would bring with them on their journey. A miniature trunk and supplies are provided. There will also be an activity on knot tying which was essential aboard ship.
An Artisan in Falmouth: In this activity, participants will learn about the talented Swift brothers of Falmouth, which included Elijah who created the whaling industry and furniture makers Reuben and William. There are small reproduction desk joints made by the Swifts of Falmouth that fit together like a puzzle. Participants will assemble the piece and learn about this 19th century trade.
Our Discovery Backpacks also feature Falmouth native Katharine Lee Bates, illustrated by local artist Karen Rinaldo, as the mascot. Join us in making history accessible and fun for the whole family! Thank You to our Sponsors: The Woods Hole Foundation, Cape Cod 5, Falmouth Cultural Council, and The Cape Cod Foundation
Scavenger Hunts:
Village Green Scavenger Booklet