Hands on History:
New for Summer 2021!
Whether your family is enjoying a Tennessee staycation or you’re visiting us from somewhere else, we want everyone to enjoy their time at Belle Meade! We know as parents, you may be looking for options for your children to enjoy while you are participating in one of our historic tours, Segway Tour, or Food and Wine experiences. After all, it’s your vacation, too!
That is why we are excited to launch Hands on History, a new 90-minute summer program for children whose parents are participating in another activity at Belle Meade. This high energy program includes sensory-friendly learning experiences, hands-on activities, and crafts to take home! Parents can relax and enjoy Belle Meade activities knowing their children are in a safe, clean, and comfortable space learning and exploring with our certified and experienced Education Department staff. They won’t even know you’re gone!
Space is limited, so you are encouraged to register online in advance of your visit.
2021 Theme: STEAM Into History!
From steam power to plumbing to early electricity, the 1800s were full of scientific achievements and innovations. Discover more about “old-fashioned” science and technology, as you try your hand at sending telegraph messages and learn how the first telephones connected with each other. (Hint: They were wired!) Come prepared for a short walk to the neighboring Ice House and to view what remains of the plumbing system for the Mansion. Additional activities include guided experiments with steam, ice, electro-magnets, and more! Complete your experience by creating your own improved engineering designs in our 1884 Dairy, which is the new home of our History Maker Space.
What is the History Maker Space?
Miriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines a “historymaker” as “one that by acts, ideas, or existence modifies the course of history,” and a “makerspace” as “a communal public workshop in which makers can work on small personal projects.”
Combining those two concepts, we created the History Maker Space, where we encourage children and families to learn about the past, and then to take that knowledge and craft a better future for themselves and the world. We believe that everyone is a “historymaker”!
Health and Safety at Hands on History
Our Hands on History staff are CPR/First Aid Certified with the American Red Cross and have also completed an online child safety course. All children and staff agree to our Code of Conduct and anti-bullying policies, and we take the care of your children very seriously.
To keep ourselves and our community safe, we have hand sanitizer available and we regularly disinfect all surfaces. We provide each child with their own crafting supplies; items like crayons, scissors, and pencils are not shared between children. Until the Metro Nashville and Davidson County Department of Health and CDC recommendations change, we will require the use of face coverings/masks for all children and staff to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hands on History staff will keep their masks on at all times to protect your children. We will ask children to wear their masks and practice social distancing at all times. We are hopeful that our current global health situation will improve soon; as it does, we will update our mask policy.