Free Educational Programs to be Available in March

CAPE MAY – March is Music in Our Schools Month and Women’s History Month and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) offers educational outreach programs focusing on the Victorian Era until the present day, to help teach these topics in the classroom and in assemblies. These programs enhance students’ classroom experiences and bring history to life.
Classroom and assembly programs are offered to Cape May County, Cumberland County and Atlantic County schools free of charge.
School programs are presented by MAC Museum Educators who are experienced interpreters specially trained to work with students. MAC’s programs are coordinated with many of New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Standards, particularly in the areas of Social Studies, Language Arts, and Visual and Performing arts. Programs include field trips, classroom and assembly programs, and distance learning.
Expert musicians are available to present programs about the history of American music. MAC’s Music Education Programs include John Philip Sousa: the Man and his Music (living history program that encourages young musicians with illustrations and audio) Music of the Victorian Era and Music of the Civil War Era, Music of the War Years (World War II), Down Memory Lane (music of the ’50s and ’60s) Supernatural Music (music with macabre and spiritual themes), Gilbert & Sullivan: The Masters of Musical Theater (featuringthese witty, melodic operettas) and Blues & Jazz: Uniquely American Music (teaching the history and development of these American music forms).
Women’s History Month programs include Victorian Women I: Life in the Cocoon, Victorian Women II: Shedding the Cocoon, and the ’50s Woman: What a Difference a Century Makes. Victorian Women I focusses on the reason women were sheltered from the real world in the cocoon of their homes at the beginning of the Victorian era. Students will learn about the societal role of women during this time, its advantages and disadvantages, how the clothing of the Victorian woman reflected her role and how clothing evolved to suit new mores and a changing lifestyle. The program includes a display of Victorian clothing and artifacts. The second part of that program, Victorian Women II, looks at the evolution of women in society during the Victorian era. As the Victorian era progressed, more and more women began to shed their cocoons, and enter into full participation in society. Students learn of the forces, movements and individuals involved in the evolution of Victorian women. The contributions of dozens of women will be discussed in this program. The’50s Woman contrasts the lifestyle, social roles, and everyday life of women as they evolved over 100 years from the Victorian era to modern times. Topics also covered include occupations, dress and everyday life.
Additional free and low cost programs are available. For more information, or to schedule a program contact Dr. Robert E. Heinly, MAC’s Museum Education Coordinator at 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, Ext. 134 or rheinly@capemaymac.org.
MAC has been certified by the New Jersey Department of Education as a professional development provider. MAC’s public history programs are funded in part by an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission in the Department of State. Free educational programs are also funded by fundraisers such as the annual Craft Beer & Crab Festival at the Emlen Physick Estate held every year in early August. This year’s festival is Aug. 6.
The Mid-AtlanticCenter for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org.