President's Park (White House) [DC]

Description

President's Park contains the White House, home to every U.S. president except George Washington, and the surrounding area. The park visitor center is the hub of the park activities. Permanent exhibits within the visitor center address symbolism, First Families, celebrations and ceremonies, the work which takes place in the White House, and the White House's architecture and interiors. In addition to the White House, the park contains the First Division Monument, General William T. Sherman Monument, District Patentees Memorial, Boy Scout Memorial, Second Division Memorial, Butt-Millet Fountain, Haupt Fountains, Bullfinch Gatehouses, and Zero Milestone, as well as memorial statues of select Revolutionary War heroes.

The park offers a 30-minute introductory video, exhibits, a children's activity area, Junior Ranger activities, self-guided White House tours, educational programs for students, and an Underground Railroad traveling trunk. White House tour requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress, and can be requested up to six months in advance. Please see the website for details. Tours are only permitted for groups of 10 or more.

Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island [NY]

Description

Ellis Island operated as an immigration station between 1892 and 1954, entering more than 12,000,000 individuals into the U.S. legal system. At least one ancestor of more than 40 percent of U.S. citizens entered the United States through this port. A museum of station and immigration history is located on Ellis Island with the Hearing Room having been restored to its 1908 through 1911 appearance. Topics addressed include the immigration process, island history, immigration hearings, health, and current circa 1900 immigration law. France gifted the U.S. with the Statue of Liberty circa 1886 as a symbol of freedom and democracy. Statue of Liberty exhibits address the icon's history and present the original torch.

Ellis Island offers exhibits, a 45-minute presentation and film, a 30-minute dramatization of the immigrant experience, a one-hour Ferry Building tour, an interactive living history program, self-guided tours of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, guided tours, audio tours, immigrant manifest database access, Junior Ranger activities, a monthly genealogy workshop, curriculum-based programs, a traveling trunk, and distance learning opportunities for students. Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty Monument audio tours are available in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Italian, Arabic, German, Japanese, Polish, and Mandarin. Reservations are required for Ellis Island group audio tours. Wheelchairs are available for use on site. The website offers a teaching guide, in addition to visit and pre-visit activity sheets. The Statue of Liberty Monument offers an introductory film, 45-minute guided tours, exhibits, audio tours, Junior Ranger activities, and a traveling trunk. The website offers a virtual tour and a teacher guide.

Touro Synagogue National Historic Site [RI]

Description

The Touro Synagogue was dedicated in 1762, and serves an active congregation today. The congregation was founded in 1658 by Sephardim who fled the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal and were searching for a haven from religious persecution in the Caribbean. Today, the synagogue celebrates not only their story, but serves to honor all who came to this shore seeking to worship freely.

A second website for the synagogue can be found here.

The site offers tours.

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site [NY]

Description

Eleanor Roosevelt chose Val-Kill for her retreat, her office, her home, and her "laboratory" for social change during the prominent and influential period of her life from 1924 until her death in 1962. During that time she formulated and carried out her social and political beliefs. This is the place most closely associated with one of the most prominent women of 20th-century America.

The site offers tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational programs.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site [GA]

Description

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is located in Atlanta, GA, at the site of King's birth. The home has been preserved in much the same state as during King's childhood years, and is open to visitors year round by appointment.

The historic site features exhibits on Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, as well as field trip programs, guided tours, and traveling trunks. The website offers visitor information, a history of the home, a brief biography of Martin Luther King Jr., a calendar of events, and resources for teachers including curriculum guides.

Flight 93 National Memorial [PA]

Description

The Flight 93 National Memorial commemorates the sacrifice of the passengers of Flight 93, which took place September 11, 2001. On that day, the passengers agreed to give up their own lives in order to prevent terrorists from using the plane to attack the national capitol.

The site offers informative presentations and Junior Ranger activities. The site includes a virtual tour.

The site currently serves as a temporary memorial to allow people the emotional outlet necessary after the tragedy. A permanent memorial design has been adopted, and will be realized.

Roger Williams National Memorial [RI]

Description

The Roger Williams National Memorial commemorates the life of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island and champion of religious freedom. The memorial is located in downtown Providence, RI, and consists of a landscaped park along with a visitor center.

The memorial offers guided tours, ranger-led activities, exhibits, and a short film of Roger William's life. The website offers visitor information and a brief history of the memorial and of Roger Williams. In order to contact the memorial via email, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.

Stealing God's Thunder: Benjamin Franklin's Lightning Rod

Description

Author Philip Dray looks at Benjamin Franklin's work as a scientist, particularly his work with lightning and electricity. Dray examines opposition and detraction that Franklin faced based on religious grounds—objections that he was interfering with the weapons of God—and compares Franklin's struggles with these detractors to the American struggle to define itself after the Revolutionary War. His presentation includes slides.

Audio and video options are available.