You can take a virtual tour of Riverside’s grounds by clicking this link: www.riverside-landing.oncell.com and, as you go through the virtual grounds tour, you can also complete Riverside’s Virtual History Quest.
Click here to see how well you did on the Quest after you are finished with the Virtual History Quest Answers.
Programs for Children and Families
During the coronavirus pandemic, families can take part in our “Layers of Time: Riverside Archaeology Experience” through the end of October 2020. See details and an opportunity to register on our “Visit Us” page.
“Building Blocks of History” is by far the most popular field trip experience at Riverside.
Building Blocks is a unique, hands-on history experience. This award-winning field trip gives students the opportunity to spend the entire school day at Riverside. While on site, they take part in three activities:
They tour the historic Farnsley-Moremen House;
They participate in an on-going archaeological excavation under the supervision of professional archaeologists;
They make their own “artifact” of their experience–a small, hand-made brick.
Riverside can accommodate up to 120 students per day for the Building Blocks program. Large school groups are divided into three smaller groups and students move round robin through the activities described below (with a break for lunch). Each activity takes approximately 45 minutes.
House Tour: Students tour the Farnsley-Moremen House (built circa 1837) and reconstructed detached kitchen building. Guides focus on the story of historic farm life on the Ohio River.
Archaeology: Current archaeological research at Riverside is focused on learning about long-lost outbuildings that were once part of the agricultural landscape. In the past few years, excavations have taken place at the detached kitchen site, the slave house (later tenant house site), the wash house site and the barn site.
Archaeologists from the Kentucky Archaeological Survey (KAS) introduce students to basic archaeology concepts and methodology during this activity. Students get the opportunity to take a trowel in hand and dig under the supervision of an archaeologist. They will also screen and wash artifacts.
Brickmaking (Elementary Grades): Students will make their own personal “artifact” of their experience by using quick-drying clay to mold a small-scale, hand-made brick. During the restoration of the house, a brick with Gabriel Farnsley’s signature was found in the cornice. Each student is encouraged to mark their brick with their name or a message just as Gabriel Farnsley did. Students take home their bricks at the end of the day.
Artifact Activity (Alternate Activity for Middle School and High School Levels): Guided by archaeologists, students work in small groups with artifacts previously uncovered at Riverside. They are asked to make observations about the artifacts recovered. They are encouraged to speculate about what the artifacts can tell us about the people who used them and the place they were found. Archaeologists lead the discussion.
“Building Blocks of History” is appropriate for Primary (K-3), Intermediate (4-5), Middle (6-8), and High (9-12) levels. The field trip addresses the following content areas:
Arts and Humanities
Geometry and Measurement
Culture and Society
Geography and Historical Perspective
Maximum Number Per Day: 120 students.
Seasons Field Trip is Offered: September through October and mid-March through May. Dates are limited so contact us (502) 935-6809 today to make your reservation.
“Life on the River” is an hour to an hour-and-a-half school program.
During the 19th century, the Ohio River was a superhighway to the world transporting people, goods and ideas to far-flung locations in a young America. This experience begins with a 7-minute video followed by a tour of the historic Farnsley-Moremen House (built circa 1837). The tour focuses on the important role the Ohio River played in the lives of the people who once called Riverside home–and on the role the Ohio played in the development of our community.
This tour is appropriate for Primary (K-3), Intermediate (4-5), Middle (6-8) and High (9-12) levels. It addresses the following content areas: Arts and Humanities, Social Studies, Culture and Society, Economics, Geography and Historical Perspective.