Bowers Museum: California Missions and Ranchos, 1769-1848 tour and culture art project grades 3-5

Step back into the era of Spanish missions and Mexican ranchos (1769–1848) with an interactive, standards-aligned field trip designed for 3rd–5th grade students. Starting at 9:30 AM, this 2 to 2.5-hour experience includes a 1-hour private docent-led tour exploring the rich history, native traditions, and cultural shifts of early California. Following a 30-minute break for students to rest and regroup, the visit concludes with a 1-hour private art workshop where students become historical artisans. In this hands-on project, students experiment with a centuries-old technique using cochineal—a red pigment derived from cactus-dwelling insects—and natural acids to replicate the painting and dyeing processes of the Mission and Rancho periods. Through this natural color chemistry and printmaking activity, young historians discover how early European settlers and their Native counterparts drew on their natural environment to make creative, artistic choices.

Parents and siblings are allowed to attend the tour.  They can purchase tickets through iLEAD with a credit card.  Parents and siblings will not be included in the art project.

• All grades 3-5 are invited
• All Learners require a ticket to participate, ticket includes art project
• Parents/Guardians/ Sibling need a ticket to participate, credit card fees apply, no art project
• One Parent or guardian permitted so learners have access to tickets
• All tickets are final and non-refundable
• Details for the day of will be emailed a few days prior