Experience the exciting history of the Trolley Era through a field trip to the Trolley Museum!
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is uniquely positioned to give students vivid insight into one of the most transformative periods of American history. Our educational and enjoyable field trips align with Pennsylvania Core Standards and are suitable for learners of all ages. All on-site field trips include a ride on a restored antique trolley.
Grade Levels
Preschool – 12th grade. See program offerings below.
Program Length
On-site: 1.5 hours. An additional 30 minutes can be added for groups eating lunch (outside picnic tables ONLY). The max visit time is 2 hours.
Digital: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Please let us know about any time restrictions when booking. Based on the needs of the group, we are able to offer shorter program times.
Availability
On-site: April 1 through November 30. Some weekend dates may not be available due to special events or programs. There is a 15 students/children or $105 minimum required to book a field trip. Adult participants do not count towards the student or payment minimum. Head counts must be confirmed a week in advance.
Digital: Monday through Friday, year round. There is no minimum head count.
Group Size
On-site: Limited to 25 participants (including both students and any adults) due to Covid-19 restrictions. If your group is larger, please contact the Educator to discuss the safest way for your group to visit.
Digital: Recommended for up to 50 students or 10 screens.
Cost
On-site: Students/Children/Adults (non-educator/staff chaperones) $7; Educators/Staff are free with the group; For homeschool groups, one adult per family unit is comped. Max 10 adults comped per scheduled group.
Digital: $25 for 30 minutes; $50 for 45 minutes to 1 hour
Safety: Please review the Field Trip Safety Guide for information about how PTM is keeping groups safe.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum encourages requests from schools and organizations serving individuals with special needs, homeschool groups, or other educational groups such as Scouts. The Museum Educator and staff can adapt the field trip to create customized experiences for students.
Education Program Offerings
If you are interested in a program that is not listed for your grade level, please contact the Museum Educator. We are able to integrate your specific goals and coordinate with your classroom unit. All programs align with Pennsylvania Academic Standards 3.2, 3.4, 8.1, and 8.2.
Essential Questions: What is a trolley and who rode trolleys?
Content Themes: Learning Through Play, Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History
Program Description: Students are introduced to trolleys as a means of transportation, what makes them go, and who rode them. Through a participatory exploration of the Trolley Display Building and hands-on activities, students will learn where electric trolleys fit into transportation history and why they were/are important in people’s daily lives.
Essential Question: Why was the trolley invented and how did trolleys change people’s lives?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Technology & History, Electricity, Transportation Technology
Program Description: Students will learn about historical forms of transportation and their power sources, focusing on the transition from horse power to electricity and how the trolley changed how people lived, worked, and had fun.
Essential Question: How has public transportation helped Pittsburgh develop and how has it changed over time?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History, Transportation Technology, Society & the Development of Technology
Program Description: Students will explore how trolleys greatly impacted cities and towns, especially Pittsburgh, by allowing people to live in one area and work in another. From the early high floor car to the more modern PCC, Pittsburgh still has a connection to electric transit.
Essential Question: How has public and private transportation evolved over time to meet the changing needs of society and the individual?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History, Technology & Engineering Design, Transportation Technology
Program Description: Students will comprehend how the trolley developed and evolved over time and contemplate the future of mass transit.
Essential Question: How has the evolution of transportation changed and been changed by how and where people lived and worked?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Society & the Development of Technology, Transportation Technology
Program Description: Students will learn about the role of trolleys in Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh history, focusing on industrial growth, urban development, the expansion of the suburbs, and the future of transportation.
Essential Questions: What is a trolley and why is it important?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History
Program Description: Students are introduced to trolleys as a means of transportation, what makes them move, and who rode them. Designed for groups of varying ages, this flexible program can be catered to each group’s needs and interests. Through a participatory exploration of the TDB and hands-on activities, students will learn how trolleys changed the way people lived and why they were/are important in people’s daily lives.
Sample Activity Options: Trolley track scissor skills (pre-K-K), Trolley texture rubbings (ages 5+), Riding transit movement activity (ages 4-12+), Hula hoop traffic jam (ages 4+)
Digital Program Offerings
Program Length: 30 minutes (recommended)
Essential Question: What is a trolley and why is it important?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History
Program Description: Explore the Trolley Era with PTM’s Educator through a participatory virtual tour of the Car Barn and artifact share.
Program Length: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Essential Question: What is a trolley and who rode trolleys?
Content Themes: Learning through Play, Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History
Program Description: Students are digitally introduced to trolleys as a means of transportation, what makes them go, and who rode them through a virtual tour of the Car Barn, streetcar story, artifact share, and activity.
Essential Question: Why do different methods of transportation exist?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History, Technology & Engineering Design, Transportation Technology
Program Description: Students will digitally explore the evolution of transportation from horse cars to electric streetcars through a virtual tour of PTM’s Car Barn, artifact share, and future transportation activity. Required materials: Paper and drawing implements. Extra: Blocks, legos, craft supplies
Essential Questions: What is the relationship between advertisements and trolleys?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Visual Arts, Historical and Cultural Contexts, Critical Response
Program Description: Utilizing visual literacy skills, students will explore car cards of products such as Heinz, Campbell’s and Coca-Cola, learn the importance of advertising product on streetcars, and try their hand at creating a car card.
Book your Field Trip TODAY!
For more information or to book a field trip, contact the Museum Educator at 724-228-9256 x302,
When you call to make a reservation, please have the following information ready:
- Number in group (students/children, non-staff chaperone/adults, educator/staff). There is a 15 student/children or $105 minimum required to book a field trip. Adult participants do not count towards the student or payment minimum. There is no minimum size for digital classroom programs.
- Grade level or age
- Date and time you want to visit. Please review date availability above. Field trips and digital classroom programs can start as early as 10:00 AM and as late as 2:00 PM. Please have alternate dates and times in case your first choice is unavailable.
- Contact Name, phone, and email for group
- Mailing address of the school or organization
- Special needs of the group (time restrictions, use of wheelchair lift, group members with sound or motion sensitivity, etc.)
*A $35 deposit is required to confirm all on-site field trip reservations. Reservations will not be held without a deposit. The remaining balance is due by the day of the visit. No separate payments are accepted and participants cannot pay individually. There is no deposit required for digital classroom programs; however payment is due prior to the scheduled program.
We want all those who visit the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum to have a fun and educational experience. To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, please review the following guidelines and field trip information.
Dress
Field trip participants, both students and adults, should dress appropriately for comfort and weather. Field trips are active experiences and our antique trolleys have high steps. We recommend closed-toed shoes and strongly discourage flip-flops, high heels, or dress shoes.
Accessibility
We welcome and encourage students and adults with special needs to come visit with us! We request that students and adults with these groups are accompanied by chaperones who can help them navigate the museum if necessary. When booking a trip, please inform the Museum Educator about any special needs in the group and how we can best accommodate those needs.
Please contact the Museum Educator at 724-228-9256 x302 or by Email to discuss any accessibility related concerns.
Arrival Procedure
If arriving by school or group transportation, please keep students and adults on the vehicle until greeted by the Museum Educator or staff member. At that time, the Educator or staff member will provide instructions about the visit. When students are being transported in personal vehicles, please request that they arrive no more than 30 minutes prior to the start of the field trip.
Please be on time. Delayed arrivals can disrupt both your schedule and ours. If you are running late, please contact the museum at 724-228-9256 x301. The museum cannot guarantee the full 1.5 hour experience for late arrivals.
The only indoor restrooms at the museum are located in the Visitor Center and Events Room. Time will be allotted upon arrival for the use of restrooms prior to beginning the program.
Chaperones
Group staff and all adult chaperones must remain with the group. Please model and encourage good behavior and engage with students and staff to provide guidance and encouragement throughout the visit. We ask you to silence cell phones and keep calls and texting to a minimum as they serve as distractions and detract from the group experience.
Food
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum does not provide any food or drink for educational groups. Groups are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch and eat at the museum’s outdoor picnic area. Indoor seating is unfortunately not available for groups in 2020. Refrigeration and access to microwaves are not available.
Museum Gift Shop
The Museum Gift Shop is unfortunately not available for groups in 2020. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Cancellations
If you are unable to keep your field trip reservation, please contact the Museum Educator, at 724-228-9256 x302 or education@patrolley.org as soon as possible. The $35 deposit due to confirm all field trip reservations is nonrefundable.