Sir Wilfrid Laurier National Historic Site

Learning Experiences

The interpretation staff has put together a range of entertaining activities tailored to the needs and objectives of schools, socio-cultural groups and regular visitors. Young and old alike enjoy discovering the life and time of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Relay races, riddles, role-playing, small town gossip and guided tours are all examples of the re-enactment and visitor participation activities that make visiting the Sir Wilfrid Laurier National Historic Site of Canada a lively and instructive experience. Don't forget to reserve in advance for the group activities.

• A long-lost package shows up
• A society to organise
• The miller, the farmer and the prime minister NEW !

A Long-Lost Package Shows Up

Two activities have been designed for elementary school children. They appeal to children's desire to learn more about history, giving them an introduction to the life of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his time. Those responsible for the field trip must reserve in advance and inform the National Historic Site staff of your group's special needs.

A package mailed in 1911 has recently turned up at the town post office. Inside the package is a letter from Wilfrid Laurier's childhood friend which contains a secret message. But at the dawn of the 21^st century, Sir Wilfrid Laurier is no longer around to decipher it. Who can solve this riddle? After a relay race, role-playing and a tour of the historic house in the company of costumed interpreters, children will be able to decode the mystery message.

Target group: first and second cycle of elementary school
Length of visit: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Maximum group size: 60 students
Fee : $2.90

A Society to Organise :

From Sir Wilfrid Laurier's youth to his career as a Prime Minister. This new program brings children to compare the organisation of two universe: the mid-nineteenth century traditional society in which Wilfrid Laurier lives is youth (1841-1851) and Canada's march to modernity when Sir Wilfrid Laurier is Canada's Prime Minister (1896-1911).

• In the commemorative house, an observation quest done in small teams, will lead students to compare the organisation of their way of life and that of Sir Wilfrid Laurier when he was their age.
• With a game of research and analysis, students can identify what Sir Wilfrid Laurier has brought to the development of canadian society, notably in transportation, immigration and the autonomy of the country.
• The third activity is an initiation to parliamentary debates. The students are invited to become MP's during a role game. The children will discuss a bill and adopt a new law which they take at heart while respecting House of Commons' decorum.

At the end of the tour, students will be able to understand the most important differences between mid-nineteenth century's rural life and early twentieth century urban life and to describe the steps leanding to the adoption of a law at the House of Commons.

Target group: third cycle of elementary school
Length of visit: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Maximum group size: 60 students
Fee : $2.90

The miller, the farmer and the prime minister

A discovery tour provided in collaboration with the companies Au moulin bleu and Panier Nature. This is a day of activities letting 3^rd cycle elementary school children explore major changes that occurred between the mid-19^th century and today through three occupations: miller, farmer and prime minister.

This tour is offered in May and June, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Au moulin bleu flour mill
  Au moulin bleu is a company that has been milling grain for nine generations. Students have the chance to discover how the technologies used at a flour mill have changed, from water turbines to electric motors. In addition to learning flour-making secrets, students take part in a rally about nutrition.
  
  
• Panier Nature
  In the countryside, your students can have fun exploring a farm where there is a variety of animals. With an observation hive and a participatory game, children learn how bees organize their work. This activity, which uses the children's senses, continues with a visit of three different organic gardens.
  
  
• A society to organize
  The historic site offers an activity titled “A society to organize,” the description of which is presented above.

Clients: 3^rd cycle elementary school students
Capacity: 60 students
Price: $12 per students
Where: Saint-Lin–Laurentides and Saint-Roch de L'Achigan