Evansville Museum Tours
Each year, the Evansville Museum welcomes thousands of students and teachers from Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois and Southern Kentucky to its galleries. Students are introduced to its permanent collection and special exhibitions through school tours, outreach programs, and educational workshops. Friendly, knowledgeable Docents lead students on exciting, interactive journeys through history, art and science, helping them incorporate classroom learning with life experiences.
Be sure to take a look at our tours and outreach programs. These programs can be customized to fit the needs of your group.
If you are a parent, take a moment to check out our classes page. The exciting, hands-on classes taught by local artists and Museum staff give children the chance to let their imaginations and creative juices flow!
We want YOU to come to the Evansville Museum! Your group is encouraged to reserve a guided tour of the Museum to experience art, history, science and anthropology in a unique way. Trained Docents are available to lead tours for groups of all ages in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Check out the options below, or contact the Museum for a tour that's customized just for you!
Museum Samplers
Preschool Tour (Ages 3-4)
Preschool children will enjoy an interactive look at selected artifacts. The 30-minute tour may be followed by self-guided activities in the FamilyPlace.
First Look (Grades K-1)
Join Gabby the puppet on a fun introduction to the Museum. Check out Art, History, Science and Anthropology galleries!
Tell Me A Story (Grades 3-5)
Every artifact has a story—imagine if these walls could talk! Selected pieces from the Museum’s permanent collection will be the focus of this storytelling tour.
Koch Science Center
*Due to construction, the Koch Science Center FamilyPlace will be closed until further notice. However, the "Sensational Science" and "Plastics and Polymers" tours will still be available.*
Sensational Science (Grades 3-6)
Various experiments and demonstrations in the Koch Gallery, including visits to the hands-on exhibits.
Plastics and Polymers (Grades 4-8)
Students witness experiments using plastics and discuss the important role plastics play in ecology. Includes visits to hands-on exhibits.
FamilyPlace
FamilyPlace is the Museum's interactive Science Gallery, and is the site of all Science Center demonstrations. Although this area is not included in most guided tours, groups are strongly encouraged to visit. (Planning for extra time after a guided tour will be necessary). The FamilyPlace is located on the first floor of the Museum, and includes a walk-in kaleidoscope, shadow wall, Bernoulli blower, a four foot parabolic mirror and more!
Koch Planetarium
(47 Seat Capacity)
The Sky Tonight (All Audiences) approx. 35 mins.
Our live program featuring the constellations and planets of the seasonal evening sky.
Native American Skies (Grades 2-8) approx. 35 mins.
This Planetarium show uses Native American legends to discuss the creation of the stars and sky.
Nine Planets and Counting approx. 40 mins.
How many planets are there in our solar system? Nine, right? Or is it eight? The answer may surprise students. This show presents the continuing debate on what constitutes a planet and exactly how many there are in the solar system.
Season of Light (Grades 5-8) approx. 40 mins.
December Only
Winter holiday customs, Northern winter constellations, and the “Star of Bethlehem” will be explored in this show. Presented in memory of Dr. & Mrs. H.S. Dieckman, from their family, Virginia Dieckman Lezhnev and Alexander “Sasha” Lezhnev.
Follow The Drinking Gourd (Grades 2-5) approx. 40 mins.
January through March Only
Based on the award-winning children’s book, this show helps explain the song that led slaves north to freedom by following the stars.
Anthropology and History
Other options for tour content are available, as tours can be customized to suit each class’s needs. Grade levels shown are basic guidelines.
Native American Lifestyles (Grades 2-8)
So many cultures have existed in the United States alone. Come discover the Native Americans of the Plains, Southwest, and Northwest.
Pioneers and Plains Indians (Grades 2-5)
A comparison of legends and lifestyles of Native Americans living near the Evansville region with those of early pioneers who settled here.
Rivertown, USA (All Grade Levels)
What was it like to live in a river city at the turn of the 20th Century? Take a walk through Rivertown, USA for a historic look at early Evansville.
Art
Learning to Look (Grades 3-6)
Through active demonstration and interaction, students will be introduced to the basic elements used by artists in creating their works: line, color, form, space, and texture.
General Art Tour (All Grade Levels)
Exploring the Museum’s permanent collection and changing galleries, students will learn art history and the basic principles of art. This tour can be tailored for any grade level, or be structured to focus on a particular art subject.
Preschool
Art Explorers (Ages 3-5)
Preschool children will enjoy an interactive look at selected artifacts. The 30-minute tour may be followed by self-guided activities in FamilyPlace.
Star Stories (Ages 3-5)
Preschool students ages 3-5 will enjoy this planetarium show customized especially for them. Join us under the dome for a story about space and a brief look at several stars and constellations.
EMTRAC(Ages 3-5)
The Pre-K version of the EMTRAC tour gives students a chance to explore Transportation Hall, the model train vignette and our train.
EMTRAC (Evansville Museum Transportation Center)
Come learn the history of transportation in Evansville! Students learn about early river and rail travel, as well as Evansville aviation and street transportation. Highlights include a model railroad vignette, and our train—a 1926 steam engine, 1908 club car, and a circa 1900 caboose. The 45-minute tour includes the entire Center and train.
Outreach
Bring the Museum into your classroom! Outreach programs are currently available for Preschool through grade 8 and meet the guidelines of the Indiana Standards for Art, History and Science. Programs include 45-minute interactive presentations led by Museum Docents. They are a great compliment for a visit to the Museum, or perfect for those who are unable to visit the Museum. These programs are FREE for schools in Vanderburgh County, and cost $2.00 per student in other counties. The outreach programs are also available for local organizations and cost $2.00 per person.
Welcome to the Mooseum!
This program is designed specifically for children ages 3-5 years old. It is an introduction to the Museum and teaches children about everything we have to offer! They will be introduced to Art, History and Science through a story told by our very own cow...MOO. Moo has lots of fun things to talk about during this 20-30 minute program!
Discovery
The Discovery Outreach program is a wonderful way to introduce students to the Museum! Through lively discussion and touchable artifacts, your students will learn a little about each of four areas—art, history, science and anthropology.
2-D Art
2D Art is designed for 2nd graders. The purpose of this outreach is to use works of art selected from the Museum’s collection to illustrate the basic elements of art: line, color, form, texture, and perspective.
Sculpture
This particular program is targeted toward 3rd graders. Students will learn about the people of Japan, Rome, Africa, Canada, Middle and North America through their art, as well as see and explore the art of sculpture.
Pioneers
The Pioneers Outreach is suggested for 3rd and 4th grade students. Selected pieces teach about the lifestyles of the pioneers and the differences between then and now. This program teaches students about what can be learned about agroup of people when you look at the things they left behind.
Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Egypt
This program is designed for grades 4 and up, and gives students a first-hand look at one of the greatest wonders of the world: mummification. Many cultures practiced mummification besides the Egyptians, including the Aztecs, Incas, Chinese, and the Japanese. Students will explore the myths and truths about ancient Egyptian culture and witness the mummification of EMASHOTEP, an ancient Egyptian Royal.
General Tour Information
E-mail or call to schedule a tour or request more information: Amanda Groff, Curator of Education, (812) 425-2406, ext. 226
Tour Calendar:
Docent-led tours are available Wednesday through Friday at 9:00am, 10:30 am, and 12:15pm. Times are flexible except during the months of April and May. Tours are approximately 30-45 minutes each. Self-guided tours are available during regular Museum hours, and preferably scheduled within the same guidelines as Docent-led tours. This enables us to better accommodate all groups.
Group Size:
Large and small groups are welcome. For more effective tours, Docents work with 15-20 students, and larger groups will be divided to accommodate the limit. One adult for every ten students is required with every group.
Planetarium:
The Koch Planetarium can accommodate a maximum of 47 children and adults. Each group scheduling a planetarium show as part of their tour must provide two adults per show.
Cost:
The offers free tours to all K-12 classes of Vanderburgh County schools (public or private) from August – May thanks to a generous grant from the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana.
For all school groups from outside of Vanderburgh County, all homeschool groups, preschools, churches, and summer camps, the fee is $3 per student for the first tour, and $1 for each additional tour. For adults attending with tour groups, the fee is $4.
