Faust Park Educational Field Trips

The history staff at Faust Park offers a variety of educational programs and guided tours for all ages. Our most popular program is the half-day “Farmsteading” program. Feedback shows that many students call this their favorite field trip.

To ask questions or make reservations, please call Faust Park at (314) 615-8339 or email adenno@stlouiscountymo.gov.

Farmsteading at Thornhill - (4 hour program)
This program was designed for grades 3 and up and focuses on the Louisiana Purchase and early Missouri history during the era of Frederick Bates, the second governor of Missouri. Students try their hands at daily chores such as hauling wood and water. Activities can include butter churning, rail splitting and candle dipping. Students get a hands-on understanding of the lifestyle of Missouri's immigrant and emigrant settlers in the early 1800s.

Thornhill on the Frontier - (2 hour program)
This two-hour, hands-on program is designed for grades 3 and up. With this program, students will learn through hands-on activities and discussions what their life would have been like in the 1800s living in the Louisiana Territory, where they were expected to contribute to the survival of their family.

Life on the Frontier - (2 hour program)
This program allows a maximum of 30 students to experience life on the frontier. The program was designed for students from grade kindergarten to second grade but can be modified for special needs classes. Students try their hands at daily choirs such as hauling wood and water. Activities can include butter churning, rail splitting and candle dipping. Students get a hands-on understanding of the frugal lifestyle of Missouri's immigrant and emigrant settlers in the early 1800s.

Growth on the Frontier - (2 hour program)
During this program, students will explore how villages grew on the prairies of the United States from small settlements into viable towns through the exploration of a home, the general store, schoolhouse and blacksmith shop.

During this program students will also get to hand dip a candle, an activity that would have been necessary in every household in the early 1800s.

The Passage West - (2 ½ hour program)
During this program, students will explore the homes of two immigrant families. Through the exploration of these homes, they will learn what life was like for a family coming to a new country and establishing their lives, jobs and businesses in this foreign world.

Students will also try their hands at two everyday activities that children their age would have been required to do - candle making and butter churning. If time allows, an additional house will be explored to show the evolution of homes in the 1800s Missouri.

Guided Tours - (1 ½ hours)
Available on weekdays for adult groups or mixed ages, 3rd grade and older; year-round, weather permitting. Tours cannot start before 8am and must be completed by 3 p.m. Guided tours last up to 90 minutes. Advanced reservations are requ