TRIP to Mystic Sea Village.
Mystic Village, though a reconstructed river town, has a fortuitous similarity to nineteenth century New Haven on Long Island Sound. Ships in those days were sailing vessels and steamships, neither of which draw much water, and the sea traffic was the lifeblood of both towns. Long Wharf, a long pier-like extension out into the Sound which was lined with shops catering to that traffic, existed into the present century. Mystic has all the trades necessary to that time and place. Your students will enjoy seeing a real blacksmith, a ship’s chandlery, a country school, and many more—and may tour the sailing ship tied up at their pier, Besides, the gift shops are terrific!
Follow up
On returning to school the next school day, you can have each student choose one of the ways of being a “producer” from all those seen at Mystic, and can write about how the trade is conducted, and why they would choose it.
