Planning your field trip to the Tsongas Industrial History Center

Reservations

Welcome to the Tsongas Industrial History Center at Lowell National Historical Park!

If you wish to book a school or group visit, please call our Reservations Office at 978-970-5080. You can also begin the process by filling out our “Field Trip Inquiry” form. This form will start the process and our staff will contact you to finalize your reservation.

The reservation process will go smoothly if you do the following before calling:

  • Have a range of dates in mind for your class(es) to visit.
  • Reservations for the full 2024-2025 school year are open. This year, we are offering some programs on only certain days and times of the year.
  • Examine the program descriptions on our Education Programs page. Each program has a specific theme, and some programs are targeted to specific age groups. Think about which programs best address your curriculum and grade(s).
  • Have a school calendar handy. Know when activities such as state testing dates, sporting events, or early dismissal will be. Determine what time you will need to arrive and leave.
  • Watch our "Planning Your Field Trip to the Tsongas Industrial History Center" video.

Our reservationists are very knowledgeable about our programs. They can assist you with timing on your day, scheduling multiple classes, and assisting with curriculum connections.

Itineraries

Our itineraries are flexible, and start and end times for your day can be adjusted — even around complicated bus schedules — so you can make the most of your time with us. See the sample itinerary (pdf). The museum teacher/park ranger follows schedules closely and has to stay on time. Many other groups may be visiting the Tsongas Industrial History Center during your visit, so all movements are coordinated.

Our programs run from either 9:15 a.m. to 1:25 p.m., or 9:45 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., depending on the program and day of the week. If you need different arrival and departure times to facilitate your visit, please let our Reservationists know when booking your program. We will do our best to ensure a great experience even with an amended schedule.

When booking two of the same program (for example, Bale to Bolt 1 and Bale to Bolt 2 programs) on one day, students will do the same program but on alternate schedules. Both programs will arrive and depart at the same times.

We make every effort to accommodate your scheduling needs. We can provide key program elements even within a modified schedule. Although we must observe trolley schedules and schedules of other groups, we will try to be flexible.

Lunchtime

Groups must bring their own food and beverage. No food or beverages are available on site. We provide a place to eat in our Moody Street Feeder Lunchroom.

Please have each student pack his/her lunch in small, individual, disposable bag, labeled with the name of the student and the day’s program.

Do not put lunches in:

  • Coolers
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Large plastic bags
  • Please, no backpacks.
  • Gum chewing is not permitted.

Class Size

Each on-site field trip program can accommodate up to 30 students, with the exception of Community Connections, which can accommodate up to 25 students.

Chaperones

For the safety of your students, we require: 

  • A minimum of two (2) adults for each class.
  • All programs have a maximum of six (6) adults for space reasons. Each class should include at least one teacher, plus any necessary staff (paraprofessional, nurses, etc.) your class may require, plus one or two additional chaperones. 
  • If you can not meet the required number of chaperones, please contact us in advance to discuss.
  • Why do we have these requirements? Your students must be accompanied by an adult from your school at all times because Lowell National Historical Park's spaces are open to the public. When a student needs the restroom, or is not feeling well, we require an adult to accompany them. 

Teacher/Chaperone instructions:

  • Stay with your group of students at all times.
  • Monitor them at lunchtime and during a visit to the museum store.
  • Escort students to the restroom(or the sickroom) and stay with them.
  • Follow behind the group to help keep everyone together.
  • Address any student misbehavior, should the need arise.
  • Please put your cell phone on silent mode.

Payment and Cancellations

If you must cancel your program, you must do so 30 days in advance of your visit. Failure to cancel a visit 30 days in advance deprives another school of the opportunity to visit. Also, staff is scheduled to work your programs within 30 days of the program. Payment or a call arranging payment is due 30 days in advance of your visit.

All payments must be made online using the pay.gov website - this includes paper checks which can be submitted via the online portal - do not mail payment. Do not make payment until you receive your custom invoice link.

When you are ready to pay, please contact LOWE_Pay@nps.gov or call 978-970-5080 to receive your custom invoice link. We cannot accept checks or credit/debit cards on location. Pay.gov accepts paper checks, credit/debit cards, ACH/Bank Account and E-Wallet (AmazonPay, Paypal).

Fees for Programs:

  • Field Trip Programs: $225 per program of up to 30 students
  • Extended-Day Add-On: $100 per workshop of up to 30
  • January Field Trip Discount: $185 per program of up to 30 students
  • Virtual Field Trip Cost: $125 per program of up to 25 students

Financial assistance for programs is available from various organizations.

Special Needs

Notify the Reservations office at 978-970-5080 in advance if your group has any special needs or considerations--child in a wheelchair, language or hearing issues, additional students, etc. All program locations are handicapped-accessible.

Museum Store

A museum store is located in the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and in the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center. Upon arrival, let your museum teacher/park ranger know if your group would like to visit the museum store while you are at the park. A discount is available to teachers with a school purchase order or a sample of school letter-head (10% for the first 11 items, 20% for 12 or more items) To request a mail-order catalog email: tihc@uml.edu with your name and mailing address.

Pre-visit / Post-visit Lessons

We offer downloadable classroom activities, lesson plans, primary sources, videos, multimedia features, and even interactive web-based activities on our site to help with pre-visit and post-visit learning. Our resources page has many options for use before or after your visit.

Group Management

We provide a museum teacher/ranger to teach each program. Classroom teachers and chaperones are responsible for all group management and discipline issues. You, after all, know your students best; your cooperation and active involvement will help ensure that the day runs smoothly! Our museum teachers will do their best to keep to the itineraries provided. Please note that these times must be followed as closely as possible since many other groups will be visiting the Tsongas Industrial History Center and Park on the day of your visit.

Name Tags

Please have students and adults wear nametags. This helps the program leader address everyone by name.

Bathrooms

Your itinerary includes a bathroom break. Only limited facilities are available on arrival.

Weather

All programs require some outside walking, rain or shine. Have students dress accordingly, and remember to remove jackets from the bus on arrival.

Partnership

The Tsongas Industrial History Center is an education partnership between the University of Massachusetts Lowell School of Education and the National Park Service at Lowell National Historical Park.

  • UMass Lowell
  • National Park Service