QUEENS COUNTY MUSEUM

Giving the past a future

Last updated January 4, 2010

Built in 1980, the Queens County Museum has become a vibrant and enduring testimonial to the cultural history of Queens County
…a history intrinsically linked to the sea and forest.

This program is aimed specifically at our younger visitors and is often combined with the wool spinning demonstration.

After a tour of the Perkins House “Silly Sarah” our “Sheepish” puppet will share a story about the Perkins’ House children.  Students be able to view the beautifully illustrated book which accompanies the story as well as examine some of the visuals that go with the story.  Students will also be able to make a wooly sheep to take home as a souvenir.

Program Length: 1 hour     Gr. K- 1

Silly Sarah Spins A Tale

Abigail, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Eunice, Lucy, Simeon and Charlotte-Ann are Simeon Perkins’ children and they have a secret. Do you know what it is? It’s me!My name is Sarah and I am a sheep.  Actually, I am the famous sheep that fell of the boat on its way to Port Mouton.  Something strange happened as I fell into the cold water.  I got caught in a giant whirlpool which spun me into the future!  It was the year 1781 when I met the children.
So this is Silly Sara’s excellent adventure.

I saw Simeon Perkins’ sitting at his desk writing in his diary.  He would write in it every day. Did you see his diary on his desk? Do you have a diary?  I looked behind him and saw an oil painting hanging on the wall. Do you remember the oil painting of the man on the wall? Did you see how his eyes follow you when you move away?  Spooky!

I stayed in the Trundle Bed a little while but I got thinking about Horsey.  So I got out of bed, trotted back to the stable and made my own bed in a pile of warm straw next to Horsey. He misses me when I stay in the house.

Story by Sharon Munroe and Artwork by Joan Bray

Teacher’s Note:  This story takes place in the Perkins House and challenges the children to affirm what they have learned on the tour. “Silly Sarah”  will be asking questions throughout the story about what they learned in the House.