Field Trips - Hardman Farm State Historic Site | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Interpretive Ranger-Led Programs

To book a field trip, schedule an Interpretive Ranger-led program or for more information, please call 706.878.1077.

Old-Fashioned Living, Grades K-5th

What was life like in rural North Georgia 100 – 150 years ago? Students experience making butter in our historic dairy barn, sampling a biscuit cooked using a 1946 wood burning stove, and tour our 150 year old Italianate Style Mansion. Our guided tour includes information about the ancient burial mound on site, the mansion where Anna Ruby Nichols lived, and the dairy barn that Dr. Lamartine Hardman built. Docents in period dress interact with the students throughout the field trip.

Program length: 1 hour to 1.5 hours
Program cost: $7 per student
GPS: SSKH3, PS1A, PS1B, SS2G1, SS2G2, S2P1, SS2H1, SS3H1, SS3G3, SS4E1, SS5H1

Additional Information:

Book your tour at least a month in advance.
Field trips are available March, April, May, September, October and November on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
Field trips may be divided into 2 to 3 smaller groups depending on the size of the group.
Old-Fashioned games may be added as an activity depending on size of the group.
Homeschool groups may be divided by age ranges if the group is larger than 15 children.
Students are only allowed in the Visitor Center and the other site buildings with an adult.

Interpretive Ranger-Led FAQ:

Q: What is included with the program cost?
A: Tour of our Mansion, butter making demonstration, and biscuit tasting from historic wood burning oven. Washing clothes and/or old-fashioned games may be added as a station for large groups. Picnic tables are available for lunch.

Q: Do you offer a discount to Title 1 schools?
A: No. Our student price is already discounted.

Q: How do these programs relate to what I am teaching?
A: Each of these programs were designed to align specifically around the grade-specific standards outlined by Georgia’s Standards of Excellence.

Q: Is there a cost or limit for chaperones?
A: Chaperones who are not school-sanctioned, or who have not arrived at the park on the school bus, need to pay admission. Parents and family attending the field trip will be charged admission.

Q: How early in advance do I need to book our program?
A: Book your field trip a month in advance. Payment may be made in advance or on the day of your field trip.

Self-Guided Explorations

Educators and group leaders have the opportunity to experience Hardman Farm on a self-guided basis. The Mansion is only open with a docent-led tour, however, our site includes 19 outbuildings with much to see including: our Dairy Barn, Carriage House, Spring House, 2-story Horse Barn, Smokehouse, Servant Quarters, Creamery, Bull Barn, 2 Corn Cribs and a Cistern Building. Interpretive panels are available throughout the site, giving you access to much information about the buildings and the people who owned and lived on this property for 150 years. Grounds fee applies.

Additionally, we have our Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail, which is 8/10 of a mile, along the Chattahoochee River. Interpretive panels can be found on your walk along the trail, giving you more history of the area, including Nora Mill, which was once part of our property, and the rail line that lay along this path many years ago. The trail is open dawn to dusk, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is free.