School group field trips near McMinnville, Tenn.

At Falcon Rest, students learn that history is more than dry names and dates —
it’s about real people like them.  And they discover first-hand that history can be fun!

Students find out how families like the Faulkners lived at the turn of the last century, how “modern technology” changed the world 100 years ago, and how the Civil War affected local people — including young Clay Faulkner, who was a “secret soldier” during that conflict.

After the show and a spaghetti meal, they tour Mr. Faulkner’s 1896 mansion, which PBS called “Tennessee’s Biltmore.”  (The rooms are roped off for school tours — for everyone’s peace of mind.)

School field trips in Middle Tennessee -- Students learn while they laugh at Falcon Rest Mansion school group field trips
A Vice-Principal from Memphis once called Falcon Rest’s George McGlothin an “edu-tainer.” The different historical characters he plays capture kids’ imaginations, so students are learning while they’re laughing.

Games in the gardens call be added if more time is available.  The old-fashioned merchandise in the Victorian Gift Shop makes it a history lesson in itself.   For even more local history, put our Gent on the bus as a step-on guide for a trip to beautiful Rock Island State Park.

Choose from three interactive history-based shows that make your students real people from the 1800s. 

Best for grades 4 thru 12

Murder at the Mansion

Your students are the real stars of our original interactive murder mystery show. They assume the characters of actual people from 1897 attending a banquet given by the Faulkners to celebrate the opening of their new mansion. There are no lines to remember, so they’re free to ad lib as much or as little as they like … and they can be counted on to come up with some pretty hilarious dialogue. When a dastardly murder mars the celebration, they help special guest Buffalo Bill Cody discover the culprit!  Students will never forget the historical characters they played.

Ghost at the Mansion

Designed to tickle the funny bone more than tingle the spine, this interactive show combines stories of the suspected “spirits” at Falcon Rest with a light-hearted ghost convention … where your students are the ghosts!

Anyone no longer living could show up, from Henry VIII to Lady Godiva to Elvis, so students portray people from all eras of history.

The show ends with a surprise twist and is followed by a meal and mansion tour.

Ideal for an October field trip.

Honeymoon Ball of Gen. John Hunt Morgan

Based on first-person accounts of Civil War events in McMinnville during the spring of 1863, this interactive show is hosted by Gen. John Hunt Morgan, who later took his raiders farther behind Union lines than any other Confederate commander, and local poetess Lucy Virginia French. Students assume the roles of Morgan’s 21-year-old bride Mattie, local citizens and Morgan’s soldiers.

It’s set at a banquet and ball given to honor the Morgans and ends as 6,600 Union troops invade McMinnville to capture the General.  The Civil War comes to life.

Students $17; Adults $20
Add area step-on tour: $2 each

Show, meal, and mansion tour
+9-3/4% sales tax if not tax exempt


20 person minimum for “Murder” and “Honeymoon Ball” shows.
40 person minimum for “Ghost” show.

Bus driver and one teacher per class (15 student minimum class size) complimentary with minimum paid



Menu
Spaghetti with meat sauce, cheesecake brownie (chocolate cake with white icing for “ghost” show), rolls and beverages.

School field trips at McMinnville, Tenn., Falcon Rest Mansion make history fun for students
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Where history is fun