Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

This school group tour will provide your students an opportunity to learn the value of perspective as they experience each room in the mansion through various points of view. Through the story of William Culbertson’s rise from dry goods clerk to New Albany’s most charitable citizen, students will understand benevolence as a path to better community. Other topics discussed include class structure, domestic servitude, Victorian family life, architecture and decorative arts.

Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: 6.3.10, 8.2.7; IS.1.8, IS.1.9, IS.1.10

I-SPY

K-Grade 3
At site
year-round

Play the I-Spy game and explore Victorian life through clues that lead to learning in the mansion.

Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: K1.1, 1.1.1, 2.2.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.1.8

THE WINTER MOMENT

K-Grade 3
At site
Sept. 2024-March 2025

Explore the math, science and art utilized to create the Winter Moment, a colorful light display, at the Culbertson Mansion. Created by the filter of stained glass, a crystal chandelier and the sun’s rays, this exceptional experience will be discussed using prisms, patterned paper and filters in the classroom.

Indiana Academic Standards: VA Cr2.1.ka, Math k.m.2, VA Cr2.1.1a, Math 1.G.1, VA Cr2.1.2a, Math 2.G.1, 2.G.2, VA Cr2.1.3a, Math 3.G.1

WHAT IS BENEVOLENCE?

K-Grade 5
Virtual
Tuesday through Friday

Explore the Victorian virtue of benevolence. How did the Culbertson family exemplify this virtue? What does that mean today, and how can we all make positive contributions to our community. An interactive discussion with a knowledgeable staff member provides the opportunity for students to engage and ask questions throughout the program. A teacher guide and classroom packet will be provided beforehand.

Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: K1.2, k2.1, k2.4, k3.7, 1.1.3, 1.1.6, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 2.1.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 3.1.6, 3.2.5, 3.2.6, 3.2.7, 4.2.6, 5.2.8, 5.2.10

VICTORIAN NAME GAME

K-Grade 3
Virtual
Tuesday through Friday

Can you guess the names of various objects from around the mansion and their uses? Take part in this interactive program to introduce the ways in which Victorians lived, including the Culbertson family and the servant staff. A knowledgeable staff member will be able to engage students with period artifacts and lead a discussion on Victorian life. A teacher guide and classroom packet will be provided beforehand.

Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: K1.1, 1.1.1, 2.1.2, 3.1.8

CULBERTSON MANSION TOUR

Grades 6, 8-12
Virtual
Mondays, year-round
Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $150/booking
Pre-registration is required at least one month in advance.

Bring the Culbertson Mansion to your classroom with a virtual tour. Included is a downloadable teaching packet with a teaching guide, follow-along worksheet and vocabulary list. Students will see all four floors of the mansion, while learning about the lifestyle of the Gilded Age, from the elite to the servants. They will also learn about New Albany’s most charitable man and the concept of benevolence in building community.

Indiana Academic Standards: Social Studies: 6.3.10, 8.2.7; IS.1.8, IS.1.9, IS.1.10