Bill of Rights Institute

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Screenshot, Bill of Rights Institute home page
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The Constitution is a classroom (and U.S. ideological) staple. As the platform from which U.S. history shapes itself, it is crucial that your students understand the Founding Fathers and their documents. The Bill of Rights Institute exists to help educators present this material.

The website brings together a variety of resources from introductions to and copies of primary source documents to a wide selection of resources specifically for educators. The latter includes Constitution Day resources such as an interactive game on living without the Bill of Rights, another that provides interesting background information on all of America's infamous founding figures, and an essay contest. Browsing through the educator resources also brings to light lesson plans, Bill of Rights-related current news articles which have been selected for classroom appropriateness, information on 24 of the Founding Fathers, summaries of major Supreme Court cases, and the ability to search the site by choosing a major topic such as "criminal procedure."

The student resources are largely the same as the Constitution Day resources, although links are provided to a number of relevant videos and an "Americapedia," which identifies and describes civic values, portions of the Constitution, major political documents, major Supreme Court Cases, and names to know.

Educators may also be interested in seminars and webinars. Two previous webinars are available online.

Harry S Truman National Historic Site [MO]

Description

The Harry S Truman National Historic Site preserves the 1885 Queen Anne residence in which Harry S Truman lived between the ages of 22 and 88 (beginning in 1919); the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri, where Truman lived between 1906 and 1917; and several family homes. Collections consist of more than 53,000 artifacts. Truman (1884-1972) served as the 33rd President of the United States between 1945 and 1953. During this time he desegregated the military, approved nuclear weapon use on Japan, adopted the Marshall Plan, and witnessed the founding of the United Nations.

The site offers a 12-minute introductory slide presentation, tours of the Queen Anne residence, school tours of the Queen Anne residence, cell phone tours of the farm and Queen Anne sites, and Junior Ranger activities. Reservations are required for all school visits. The website offers four lesson plans, photo tours, an artifact of the month feature, and a list of the more than 1,100 books owned by Truman.

Thomas T. Taber Museum [PA]

Description

The Thomas T. Taber Museum presents the history of the Lycoming County, Pennsylvania area between Native American predominance and the 20th century. Exhibits address Native American life, fine and decorative arts, and area geology, among other topics. Period rooms depict 19th century life. Highlights include more than 300 toy trains.

The museum offers exhibits, period rooms, 90-minute guided tours for students, and a summer day camp. Students taking the guided tour should bring their lunches. Activities and demonstrations can be added to student tours.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial [IN]

Description

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial consists of a visitor's center; the Lincoln Living History Farm; and the burial site of Nancy Hanks Lincoln (1784-1818), President Abraham Lincoln's mother, killed by milk sickness. The farm depicts 1820s pioneer life via costumed interpreters, farm animals, crops, herb gardens, and a reconstruction cabin. The farm is not original, but is based on facts known about Lincoln's childhood home and about life typical of the period. Demonstrations include arts, crafts, animal husbandry, farming, and gardening. Lincoln (1809-1865) lived in Indiana between 1816 and 1830, prior to moving to Illinois.

The site offers a 15-minute introductory film, exhibits, living history interpreters, trails, a traveling trunk, and Junior Ranger activities. The website offers audio files about several of Lincoln's family members, a teacher's guide, a lesson plan.

Howard County Historical Society [MD]

Description

The Howard County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Howard County, Maryland, from its origins in the colonial days to its current state as a major suburban area of Baltimore. The society owns and operates a local history museum, housed in the historic Presbyterian Church, and a library, which is located in the historic Ellicot City schoolhouse.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours and research resources. The website offers historical information regarding Howard County as well as visitor information.

Historic Milwaukee [WI]

Description

Historic Milwaukee presents the history and architectural legacy of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The organization offers neighborhood walking tours, guided bus tours, boat tours, customized tours, student tours, lectures, and slide shows. Reservations are required for all but the neighborhood walking tours.

Longfellow National Historic Site [MA]

Description

The Longfellow National Historic Site preserves the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the world's foremost 19th century poets. The home is now open as a historic house museum, and is furnished with 19th century antique furniture.

The home offers guided tours and exhibits on the life and times of Henry Longfellow. The website offers a brief biography of Wadsworth, a history of the home, a virtual tour, and visitor information. In order to email the historic site, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site [MA]

Description

The Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site commemorates the life of Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), owner of the world's first full-scale landscape design office.

The site offers guided walking tours of Boston-area parks designed by Olmsted, outreach slide presentations, custom-designed educational programs in the "Emerald Necklace" parks, an educator's packet, and teachers' workshops.

The Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site is closed for construction. The site is expected to reopen in 2010.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Description

At its two locations—the National Mall building and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia—the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum stewards "the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world," according to its website. Through a combination of state-of-the-art exhibits, programs, and media presentations, the Museum interprets aeronautical history for the public.

The museum offers exhibits, self-guided and guided tours for school groups, on-site presentations for school groups, IMAX and planetarium shows, occasional electronic field trips and videoconferences, and on-demand professional development workshops for educators.

Geauga County Historical Society [OH]

Description

The Geauga County Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical heritage Geauga County. The Society's primary project in order to aid in the preservation of history is the Century Village Museum, which is a large living history site featuring 23 historic structures.

The society offers guided and self-guided tours of the Century Village Museum, educational tours of the village, special exhibitions, a research library, and a summer program. The website offers visitor information, a brief history of the society and village museum, and an events calendar.