Professor Sidney Milkis talks about what U.S. citizens have historically considered "greatness" in presidents, and their desire to be led by such "great" figures. Milkis asks what qualities define this "greatness."
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 19th, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm session; and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
Professor John Moser compares and contrasts the presidencies of Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon, looking at public perception of them and on what this perception is based.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session six, and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.
This lecture follows the history of the Bancroft Library, the leading research library for California and Western American history. It details Hubert Howe Bancroft's collection of historical materials, starting in 1859; continues with Bancroft's sale of the collection to the University of California in 1905; and then follows the library's development and leadership to 2005.
To listen to this lecture, scroll down to "A Library for California," and select "Listen to Broadcast."
This lecture follows the career of Henry J. Kaiser (18821967), California industrialist, who took part in major Western construction projects, built ships during World War II, produced automobiles following the war, and later founded the HMO Kaiser Permanente.
To listen to this lecture scroll down to "An Entrepreneurial Genius: Henry J. Kaiser," and select "Listen to Broadcast."
This lecture follows the history of California's development and use of its water resources; and describes major construction projects, from 1908 to 1960.
To listen to this lecture, scroll down to "California's Greatest Thirst: A Glance at the Contentious History of California's Water," and select "Listen to Broadcast."
Philadelphia's own Marian Anderson was, according to Arturo Toscanini, “a voice such as one hears only once in a 100 years.” Her famous contralto voice was known in concert halls throughout the world, but perhaps Anderson's most famous legacy was her performance in front of 75,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial after the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing at Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall. That refusal caused Eleanor Roosevelt to resign her DAR membership, although Anderson sang for the DAR three years later.
Anderson's home contains rare photos, books, memorabilia and films about her life, and also supports an artists-in-residence program developed by the Marian Anderson Historical Society, to encourage and mentor outstanding classical artists.
Private and group tours are offered by request.
If you happen to be looking for federal primary sources from Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, or Illinois, a good spot to check is the Chicago office of the National Archives and Records Administration. Records available include bankruptcy records, Chinese Exclusion case files from Chicago and St. Paul, Michigan and Illinois Selective Service System Name Index records, and naturalization records. Other topics represented in the collections include, but aren't limited to, African American history, Depression era history, disasters, espionage, and maritime history.
Consider looking through the site's finding aids to get a sense of the collections available on location.
When visiting, be ready with an official photo ID and willingness to fill out a short form concerning your interests. Leave your pens behind (pencils are permitted), and prepare to leave your belongings in a locker or in your car.
Looking for more directed opportunities? Check out the archives' upcoming events. If you teach in Illinois or Indiana, you may even be eligible for continuing education credit.
In addition to the aforementioned public programs, there are workshops designed specifically for teachers. Find them (and more opportunities) under the Workshops heading.
Archivists are ready and willing to help your students define their research topics and select appropriate primary sources, for National History Day projects or other endeavors.
The National Archives and Records Administration: Rocky Mountain Region offers access to federal photographs, paper documents, architectural drawings, and maps created in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana between 1847 and the 1990s, as well as to archival materials from North and South Dakota created after 1972. Topics represented include homesteading, Indian agencies, reclamation projects, mining, naturalizations, the World War II homefront, territorial court records, railroads, bankruptcy, genealogy, and national parks, among others.
With so many topics, how can you find what you need? Luckily, the region offers a list of online finding guides, specific to their holdings.
In addition, the region offers tours of the facilities, presentations of their holdings and services to students, and internship opportunities. Tours and presentations require appointments, and presentations can be made at the Lakewood, Colorado, facility or elsewhere. Availability of presentations made anywhere other than the main facility is subject to travel budget considerations.
NARA's Rocky Mountain Region branch is dedicated to providing professional development opportunities for educators. With advance notice, the archives provides three workshops—"Using Online Resources of the National Archives," "Hands-On History: Incorporating Primary Sources in the Classroom," and "Finding Primary Source Documents at the Rocky Mountain Regional Archives." All workshops are free. However, off-site workshops outside of the Denver metro area may require payment of travel and expense fees.
Archivists are also available to assist in student research for National History Day projects and other undertakings.
The archives is currently creating primary source document lessons for each of its constituent states. Each lesson includes one or more primary sources, background information on the source, suggested teaching activities, and a description of the document's relationship to national and state standards. Lessons are available in CD and .PDF formats.
The King Center preserves the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. and promotes the philosophies of nonviolent protest, equality, and civic action. The Center includes the King Library and Archives—"the largest repository of primary source materials on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement in the world," according to the website— Freedom Hall, housing exhibits, a theater/conference auditorium, art, and a bookstore and resource center; an eternal flame dedicated to King and his views; and the crypt of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.
Near the Center and associated with it are Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth home and the National Park Service visitor center associated with the area, as well as the still in-use Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached as co-pastor.
The center offers exhibits, research library access, and educational and recreational programs and events.
According to its website, the Department of the Interior Museum "educates the public and DOI employees about the current missions and programs of the Department of the Interior, the history of the Department, and the art and architecture of its headquarters building in Washington, DC." It maintains some original 1930s exhibits as well as updated exhibits, and the building features murals and other works of art.
The museum offers exhibits, guided tours (which may be accompanied by scheduled outside speakers), lectures, workshops for children, and occasional recreational and educational events.