Learn

Think of our Museum as a whole other classroom:

  • Field trips, any time of year, in-person or virtual, that enhance learning in and out of the classroom.
  • Programs are available weekly with Museum staff.
  • Free teacher resources are available on our website.
  • We can come to you! Visits to your classroom bring the Olympic spirit to you and your students.

Utilizing the philosophy of Olympism, we can help educators engage students in critical thinking and thoughtful inquiry as they interpret objects, photographs, artworks, oral histories, and other primary sources. Olympism is defined by the International Olympic Committee as a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will, and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example, and respect for fundamental ethical principles.

We encourage educators to review our Education Portfolio for a detailed look into our education offerings. Free to download, this is a complete collection of classroom lesson plans, in-person field trip offerings, and virtual field trip programs from the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Categorized by elementary, middle, and high school, there are a variety of activities with engaging themes that connect to the Olympics. The lesson plans and a list of connections to New York State Learning Standards for each relevant subject are included for each category’s activities.

For more information, please visit our Field Trips page on our website under the “Learn” tab, or call us at (518) 302-5310 or email us at [email protected].

Teacher Resources

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is happy to provide free materials educators can use to explore winter sports history and Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy. We offer lesson plans, student worksheets, primary resources, learning objectives, suggested materials, and other resources to make teaching the Winter Olympic Games more interactive and fun for students.

Our teacher resources are categorized based on school level (elementary, middle school, and high school) and are created for both in-classroom activities and in-person field trips with optional extension activities available. We encourage educators to adapt lesson plans to meet their classroom’s needs and we invite schools to organize a field trip to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum to discover more!

Select to view:

Field Trips

The Olympic and Paralympic Games happen every two years, yet the essentials they teach us are relevant to our lives every day. We learn that it’s not the win that matters most but it’s the journey instead. Through the stories of the Olympic Games and the remarkable athletes, we discover that the Olympic values are the building blocks to a better world: friendship, respect, excellence, equality, determination, inspiration, and courage.

To teach students these Olympic values, we offer three types of field trips: self-guided, guided, and virtual. To learn more about Live Virtual Field Trips, please visit the Virtual Field Trips page.

Advance registration is required for all field trips. To request a field trip, please complete the K-12 School Group Visit Request Form and email it to [email protected].

Field trips to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum are free for K-12 New York State Schools.

Self-Guided

With our self-guided option, your students can explore the Museum at their own pace, immersing themselves in the exhibits filled with Olympic history. Educators are welcome to explore our free teacher resources and print off activities for students to complete before, during, or after their visit. Please note that only pencils are allowed in the exhibit galleries.

To further enhance your self-guided field trip, a free activity booklet and collection highlights guide are available for download. The activity booklet is tailored for various elementary grades and encourages student participation and engagement with the exhibits. The collection highlights a variety of objects on display in the Museum. It includes images, background information, questions for viewing, and supplemental resource links for any pre- or post-field trip activities.

Guided

Our guided tour option, led by museum staff, provides an in-depth experience for students. Guided field trips can be easily adapted to different visit lengths. Available to all grades, educators can add a hands-on activity to ensure an interactive and memorable visit to the Museum. Please download our Field Trip Offerings document to view our field trip activity offerings for guided tours.

We hope to see you and your students for a field trip soon!

Research and Resources

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is home to the second-largest collection of Olympic Winter artifacts in North America. Our archives hold extensive material relating to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games and Lake Placid’s local sports history. These materials include documents, photographs, videos, and much more.

Visit the Archives

Our collection is available to the public for research purposes and can be accessed in person through an appointment, preferably at least two weeks in advance. Our hours for archive research appointments are Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm. Researchers visiting the archives do not need to purchase an admission ticket. To request an appointment, please complete the Research Registration form and email it to [email protected].

Access the Online Collection

To access the Museum’s collection online, please visit: https://lpom.pastperfectonline.com/.

Additional Information and FAQs

How do I schedule a visit to the archives?

Our collection is available to the public for research purposes and can be accessed in person through an appointment, preferably at least two weeks in advance. Our hours for archive research appointments are Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm. Researchers visiting the archives do not need to purchase an admission ticket. To request an appointment, please complete the Research Registration form and email it to [email protected].

How should I prepare for my visit to the archives?

If you have scheduled an appointment with our Museum staff, please provide us with a list of your desired resources. We can pull as much material as possible and have it ready upon your arrival so you may maximize your research time. Our staff will also be able to inform you if materials are unavailable or if any restrictions on use exist.

Can I access the Museum’s collection online?

Yes, you can access the Museum’s collection online at https://lpom.pastperfectonline.com/.

How do I contact the archives?

Mail: Lake Placid Olympic Museum, PO Box 2002, Lake Placid, NY, 12946 Email: [email protected]

Phone: (518) 302-5310

What if I can’t visit in person?

If you can’t make it to Lake Placid for a research visit, our staff can provide research assistance for a fee. To inquire about research assistance, please email [email protected] or call (518) 302-5310

10 Fun things to do at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum

Keep students and children engaged during their Lake Placid Olympic Museum visit by completing the “10 Fun Things To Do” activity. This easy-to-follow activity guides visitors through the museum by assigning different tasks to complete that encourage learning and fun at the same time! To download this activity, please visit the link below.