Prepare For Your Day: Minnesota History Center

Before you come

• Give a copy of your schedule to all the teachers coming with your group.
• Assign students to specific chaperones. A ratio of one chaperone for every ten students is required and a ratio of one chaperone for every five students is recommended. One chaperone per five students is admitted free during your History Center visit.
• Make name tags for your students.
• Make copies of directions and parking information for bus drivers and chaperones.  
  Bus directions and parking  
  Chaperone parking information (PDF)

Prepare your chaperones

• Print the Chaperone guide (PDF) for your chaperones to review before coming to the museum and to help them find their way around the building.
• Preview: send them the link to the Chaperone page to get them excited about their day.
• Chaperones are responsible for the conduct of the students they are accompanying. The History Center requires that students and chaperones remain together at all times.

Prepare your students

• Discuss Museum Manners.
• Share the two-minute introduction video.

Accessibility

The History Center welcomes all visitors and strives to make everyone's visit a positive experience. Please let us know if your group has anyone with special accommodation needs. Call 1-888-387-5008 to discuss your access needs.

• Auxiliary aids or services, including sign language interpreters, are available with two weeks' notice
• Wheelchairs are available on site for use during your visit
• Private spaces and restrooms are available for diaper changing and tube feeding
• More about Minnesota History Center accessibility

The day of your visit

• Bag or box lunches together by classroom or by chaperone for ease of distribution.
• Give the bus drivers directions (inform your drivers of the drop-off location on John Ireland Boulevard) and parking map.
• Give chaperones a list of the students in their group and scheduled activities.

When you arrive at the History Center

• Send one teacher in the John Ireland Boulevard entrance to check in at the 2nd floor MacMillan Education Center front desk.
• Give an accurate count of the number of students and adults.
• Students will enjoy a brief orientation before starting their exploration.