National Museum of Natural History

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The National Museum of Natural History, as stated on its website, "inspire[s] curiosity, discovery, and learning about nature and culture through outstanding research, collections, exhibitions, and education."

Natural history. That probably doesn't sound particularly useful to a teacher of history, which is so often centered on humanity, rather than the earth. That said, don't write the NMNH off without giving it some thought. True, many of the offerings are decidedly scientific. However, the museum includes anthropology alongside biology and geology.

Be sure to take a look at the virtual exhibits. More than 30 topics are presented, with highlights including Alaska Native Collections: Sharing Knowledge, Camping With the Sioux: Fieldwork Diary of Alice Cunningham Fletcher, Lakota Winter Counts, and Lewis and Clark: Mapping the West.

The museum also provides a variety of lesson plans, for use in the classroom and during field trips. Also, consider looking into the teacher and classroom resources under "Human Culture and Diversity." Resources range from bi-annual anthropological research publications (including teaching activities and methods) to the National Museum of Natural History's anthropological collections.

Speaking of anthropology, the department provides 24 online exhibits and three databases, including the museum collections.

Workshops provide an opportunity for educators to focus on specific topics of interest.

If you live in the DC area, consider planning a field trip. Hands-on learning opportunities are in no short supply!

U.S. Geological Survey

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The U.S. Geological Survey exists as a federal organization created to study the nation's flora, fauna, biology, geography, bodies of water, geology, and geospatial information.

The USGS provides access to their entire photographic collection, which is sub-divided into portraiture, photographers, "pioneer photographers," and images of earthquakes; mines, mills, and quarries; national parks; and Mt. St. Helens.

In addition, educators can access nine sub-sites and resources optimal for K-6 education, covering land use and exploration. Sample topics include "A Satellite View of the Journey of Lewis and Clark" and "Urban Growth in American Cities." Twelve resources, also addressing land use and exploration, are available for grades 7-12.

Available teacher packets, like the majority of the site, will primarily be of use to science educators. However, the three packets on maps could be used in conjunction with units on westward expansion or exploration.

Odden's Bookmarks: The Fascinating World of Maps and Mapping

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Logo, Universiteit Utrecht
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A gateway to more than 14,000 sites on and about cartography and geography. Allows searching by keyword and browsing by countries and categories—including maps and atlases, collections, societies, departments, government cartography, libraries, and literature. Provides links to 585 sites that offer historical maps and atlases. Valuable for those studying cartography and geography, and useful for others as an easy-to-use reference source.

Images
Three Worlds Meet, Beginnings to 1620
Colonization & Settlement, 1585-1763
Revolution & New Nation, 1754-1820s
Expansion & Reform, 1801-1861
Civil War & Reconstruction, 1850-1877
Devel. of the Industrial US, 1870-1900
Emergence of Modern US, 1890-1930
Great Depression & WWII, 1929-1945
Postwar US, 1945-Early 1970s
Contemporary US, 1968-Present
Environment

Brittingham Family Lantern Slide Collection

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Photo, Egypt, Cairo T. E. B. & M. C. B. at pyramids, March 1, 1904, Uni. of WI
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The Brittinghams were a prominent and influential family in Wisconsin. This collection of more than 1,600 images consists of their personal and travel photographs taken between the years 1897 and 1922. These images "capture the private lives of a wealthy family at the turn of the century, and document their travels to 22 states and 32 countries." The wide variety of subjects includes family life, social life, the Brittingham homes, and various scenes from around Wisconsin. More than 750 slides picture international locations. The site also offers an interesting collection of slides that picture forms of transportation encountered by the Brittinghams, including airplanes, sailboats, streetcars, trains, carriages, and sedans.

The collection can be browsed in its entirety or by pre-selected subjects (Wisconsin, Brittingham family, social life, international travel, interiors, or transportation). Visitors can search the slide collection by using the guided search option and selecting Brittingham Lantern Slides in the drop-down menu. For those researching the lives of the well-to-do in the U.S. at the turn of the century or, more generally, the social and cultural history of Wisconsin or the U.S. in the early decades of the twentieth century, this collection of images is a useful resource.

Photographs
Travel
Images
Devel. of the Industrial US, 1870-1900
Emergence of Modern US, 1890-1930
Children
Daily Life
Environment
Family Life
Midwestern States
Popular Culture, Leisure
Science & Tech.

New York State Civilian Conservation Corps Museum

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Photo, Sawing ice off of Gilbert Lake to be stored in the Ice House...
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In the aftermath of the Great Depression, the federal government developed many programs designed to ease unemployment and put people back to work. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was one of these federal programs and this site was created as an introduction to the significant role the Corps played in the development of New York State's Gilbert Lake State Park. From 1933 to 1941, CCC Company 212, SP-11, lived and worked at Gilbert Lake. Those unfamiliar with the park should read the 1,300-word essay about Gilbert Lake and its accompanying 1,400-word essay, History of the CCC at Gilbert Lake, about the contribution of the CCC to the park.

The center of this otherwise simple exhibit is the more than 150 photographs. They include pictures of young men swimming in the lake, enjoying sack races, and building the camp. Visitors will also find recent photographs of the camp, including a 1999 restoration project of one of the park's cabin. The site is rounded out by three donated letters from people with memories about the CCC at Gilbert Lake and those interested will find the 40-item bibliography useful.

Personal Accounts
Photographs
CCC
Civilian Conservation Corps
New York
Images
Text
Great Depression & WWII, 1929-1945
Cities & Suburbs
Environment
Mid-Atlantic

Route 66 State Park [MO]

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Located along the original Route 66 corridor, the nearly 419-acre park is a boon to park visitors who want to enjoy nature and see interesting historical displays showcasing Route 66. Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse, serves as Route 66 State Park's visitor center. It houses Route 66 memorabilia and interprets the environmental success story of the former resort community of Times Beach, which once thrived on the location of the park.

The park offers exhibits.

Prairie State Park [MO]

Description

Visitors to the park can experience a walk through prairie grasses that tower above their heads with a chance to view bison and elk. Tallgrass prairie once covered more than a third of Missouri’s landscape. Today less than one percent remains. Prairie State Park, at nearly 4,000 acres, preserves Missouri's largest remaining tallgrass prairie. The park's visitor center is designed to enhance the visitor's "prairie" experience with nature programs, interpretive displays, and hands-on exhibits.

The park offers exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

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