Located in Prince William, New Brunswick, just 20 minutes west of the capital city of Fredericton, Kings Landing is a large open-air museum complete with farm animals, over 70 historic buildings, a 19th century village, and costumed characters. Step back in time and learn about the lifestyle of people who lived along the St. John River Valley in the 19th century. The details of buildings, events, characters, and the village are so well researched that a visit here is able to be an engaging educational experience.
Special Events
Throughout the year, Kings Landing hosts different special events, often related to the time of year. For instance, while not open throughout the winter, they are open select days in March to do their special event “Maple, the First Taste of Spring.” As the name suggests, that event is a demonstration on making maple syrup and also how to make maple candy in the snow.
Select buildings are open, and there are also horse and wagon rides. While they are open throughout the summer, they also have special events such as military demonstrations, a weekend about turning wool into a shawl (the whole process starting with shearing), spinning wool, basket weaving, children's day camps, and so much more. You may also visit in winter if you sign up for one of their winter events!
A homeschool family visits Kings Landing for Maple Festival
Some of these skills are taught through heirloom workshops. There are workshops to teach rug making, basket weaving, spinning wool, and flax processing. These are separate workshops that need to be registered for and run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Summer Experience
Throughout the summer season and into early October, Kings Landing is open Wednesdays - Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. During those hours, you can walk around and take in all the sites of the historical village, see living history demonstrations, visit animals, and possibly even catch a horse and wagon ride. There is a downloadable map on their website you can use or pick one up when you arrive.
Remember, this is a living history museum so in all the buildings you will see people in costume and in character. They will be carrying on how it is understood people would have during this time period, working in whatever role they play. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to join in and help with some of the work they are doing! This enhances the fun and also the educational aspect of the experience. How much more do we learn when we do than when we just see!
Don’t worry about going hungry! There is a cafe and a restaurant available on site. The Axe and Plough Cafe serves drinks and baked goods while the Kings Head Inn Restaurant offers mid-afternoon snacks or lunch. There you will find a costumed staff and the option to choose between current or historical menu items.
Not Local? No Problem!
Oftentimes, if you don’t live near these types of locations, you don’t pay attention to them. It’s easy to think if something isn’t near you, it can’t benefit you. However, that isn’t the case with Kings Landing! They really put thought, time, and effort into how people could still learn without being in attendance. Of course, being there to experience with your five senses is the best way to learn, but if that isn’t possible, there are other options!
One way you can learn from afar is through the free 19 history lessons on their website. These lessons are extremely well done and include objectives, grade levels, materials needed, and in-depth information and instructions for the lesson and/or project. For most of these online lessons, you will first read an informational lesson and then do some kind of activity or craft.
You are also able to take a virtual, self-guided tour of two of the buildings in the historical village. Joslin House and the Morehouse Farm are both available to explore on their website. Both of these tours also include lots of historical information to learn from. It is so nice to be able to take advantage of all this free educational information from the comfort of our own homes!
Childhood Favourites
Many New Brunswickers remember fondly getting to visit Kings Landing, either with their school or their family. Some favourite memories of Kings Landing which were shared by New Brunswick homeschool students are
- Horse and wagon rides
- Feeding apples to sheep
- Trying the spinning wheel
- Making ice cream in the kitchen
- Learning to play parlour games
- Tasting maple syrup candy
As unique as each child is, their favourite parts of your visit will vary just as much. Having your children do some sort of journaling, whether drawing or writing, would be a great follow-up to your visit. You could even let them make a little scrapbook page from the things they enjoyed on their visit.
Whether you get to visit Kings Landing in person or virtually, may it help you and your kids find joy in learning and remember that education doesn’t begin and end with textbooks!
This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our themes page that has a new theme topic added every month!
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).