Homeschool Day | B&O Railroad Museum

Homeschool Days are back at the B&O for 2023!

Throughout the day, we’re offering highly engaging educational programming focused on history — just for homeschool students! Student activities include story time, tours, and workshops.

Kids will be able to bring a bagged lunch or purchase one on site in the Museum’s Café and enjoy it outside under our pavilion or at our picnic tables around campus.

Pre-registration required.

Schedule of Student Activities

Your Homeschool Day ticket includes full Museum admission and your choice of two (2) student activities!

Time	Activity Type	Activity Title	Activity Description	Recommended Grades
10:30 to 11AM	Tour	Railroad Signs and Signals: Visual Communication on the Railroad	This tour explores the history of signs and signals on the railroad from its inception 200 years ago to present day. The importance of having signaling devices on the railroad and how they keep community members safe will also be explored.	Grades PreK-3
10:30 to 11:15AM	Workshop	African American Railroading Legacy Primary Source Detective	In this workshop, students will use primary sources related to the railroad experience of African Americans to build a timeline of the African American Railroad Legacy.	Grades 4+
11:30 to 11:45 AM	*Storytime*	Railroad Storytime	In this Railroad Storytime session, enjoy a read-aloud of a train themed book and get a take-home activity to enjoy while at home.	Grades PreK-3
1 to 1:30PM	Tour	The Underground Railroad: A Path to Freedom	On this tour, we will delve into the storied history of the Underground Railroad. While not an actual railroad, some freedom seekers did use aspects of the physical railroad to achieve freedom. This tour will highlight the routes of freedom seekers who have interacted with the B&O Railroad on their journey to freedom, like Henry Box Brown and William & Ellen Craft.	Grades 4+
2 to 2:45PM	*Workshop*	Maryland History and the Telegraph Workshop	In this workshop, students will learn all about the B&O Railroads connection to the telegraph. Activities include learning how to communicate using Morse Code, making a take-home keychain or necklace spelling their name in Morse Code, and assembling a simple telegraph to see the technology in action!	Grades 1+
2 to 2:30PM	*Tour*	Iron War Horses: The B&O’s Contribution During Global Conflict	On this tour, we will explore the B&O’s involvement in Conflicts both at home and abroad like the Civil War, World War I and World War II. From locomotives to troop sleeper cars and even the Merci Train, we will see on this tour how integral the railroad has been in the war effort and recovery.	Grades 5+