Drayton Hall Announces Its Third Annual Teacher-Appreciation Program with Complimentary "Hands-On History" Previews

For the third consecutive year, Drayton Hall is opening its doors to teachers and inviting them to get to know its centuries-old historic site - the oldest preserved plantation house in America still open to the public. Plus, beginning in June, a series of 90-minute "Hands-On History" Program Previews will be available exclusively to teachers every Tuesday and Saturday at 9:30 a.m.; teachers will experience firsthand Drayton Hall's most popular, curriculum-based programs - the same education programs offered to students during the academic year.

All Teachers Receive Free Admission to Drayton Hall - May 26th through September 15th Teachers are invited to discover Drayton Hall over the span of three centuries of American history. They may choose to take a guided house tour; participate in Connections: From Africa to America; walk along the salt marshes and the Ashley River; visit A Sacred Place: the African- American cemetery; or take the new "Voices of Drayton Hall" Interactive Landscape Tour on DVD produced by The History Channel. And enjoy it all at their own pace.

Teachers from previous summers have described being moved by the presence of the past in the architecture of the main house, in the rare period features of the ancient grounds, and in the opportunity to retrace the footsteps of seven generations of Drayton Hall families, both white and black. No special tickets are necessary for free admission. Upon arrival, teachers simply present the gatekeeper with their teacher identification or a recent pay stub (for confirmation). Teachers may also bring a friend at no extra charge. Nicole McLaughlin-Hendricks from J.H. Gunn Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina, said, "Our guide was so interesting! This was a wonderful experience offered to teachers that I will definitely be sharing with my co-workers." To learn more, contact Drayton Hall's curator of education, Rikki Davenport, by phone at 843.769.2607 or by email at rikki_davenport@draytonhall.org.

Complimentary "Hands-On History" Program Previews Available Exclusively to Teachers - June 17th through August 16th Teachers will also have the opportunity to observe and participate in the same education programs Drayton Hall offers to students throughout the academic year. All of Drayton Hall's education programs are based on South Carolina's curriculum standards and meet those standards for social studies, math, science, and language arts. Teachers will be asked to provide feedback on the positive aspects of individual education programs along with suggestions for improvement. This, in turn, will allow Drayton Hall to adjust and tailor its programs to better accommodate students and teachers alike. As an added incentive, teachers who participate in any of the summer-long "Hands-on History" Program Previews will receive a 15% discount on education programs booked for the 2008-2009 school year.

Teachers who have participated over the past two summers have given high marks to the Program Previews for content, presentation, and the depth and breadth of knowledge demonstrated by Drayton Hall's educators. Teacher Sis Kinney from JK Gourdin Elementary School in Saint Stephen, South Carolina, said, "These summer programs have just been so interesting and a wonderful way to introduce teachers to what is available." Drayton Hall will offer nine different program previews this summer, including Artisans & Apprentices; Dig This!; Marsh Madness; A Day in the Life of a Plantation; The American Revolution: War Comes to Drayton Hall; Civil War: Soldiers and Civilians; Plantation Games Day; Connections: From Africa to America; Where Nature & Culture Intersect: Man's Use of the Lowcountry Environment. Limited space is available. There is no fee for teachers and a guest to attend Drayton Hall's "Hands-On History" Program Previews and refreshments will be provided. Upon arrival, teachers should present gatekeeper with their teacher identification or a recent pay stub. To make reservations or for additional information, contact Curator of Education Rikki Davenport by phone at 843.769.2607 or by email at rikki_davenport@draytonhall.org