Piecing Together Our History

Description

Director of the Center for Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University, Gary Okihiro, delivers the keynote speech for the opening ceremonies of Boston College's Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. He discusses the difficulty of establishing an identity as an Asian-Pacific American and the history of Asian-Pacific Americans and Asian immigration to the U.S.

Discovering Our American Spirit: Finding Common Ground in the National Pastime

Description

This Electronic Field Trip uses the history of early baseball as a window into American life in the 19th century. Watchers journey back in time to discover a young land as its enterprising soul comes of age in the villages and towns of 19th-century America and follow the exploration of a western frontier after an anguishing Civil War to see how natives and naturalized citizens forge a familiar pastime while learning each other's customs and cultures.

Manzanar: Desert Diamonds Behind Barbed Wire

Description

According to the Apple Learning Interchange site, "The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the National Park Service present a sobering visit to the Manzanar War Relocation Center. This National Historic Site provides a compelling classroom to relive the experience of Japanese Americans held captive during World War II, as well as the plight of countless nationalities who face discrimination and intolerance still today. This is a tale of the indomitable Issei and Nisei generations. Watchers can learn through the emotional memories of survivors, and the invincible cheers of detainees at baseball games that still echo across the desert valley.

Historical Society of Washington, DC [DC]

Description

The Historical Society of Washington, DC, is dedicated to preserving the unique historical and cultural heritage of Washington, DC. The society owns and operates a local history museum, which is located in Washington's famous Carnegie Library, which was once the primary library in the DC public library system.

The society offers exhibits, guided tours of the museum, educational programs, and special events. The website offers educational resources including lesson plans and documents, visitor information, and a brief history of the society.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida [FL]

Description

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida presents the history of South Florida and the Caribbean. The museum's permanent exhibit addresses Native American life, the international rivalry for dominance in the region, southward expansion and Seminole displacement, the development of technology and the region's economy, and immigration and tourism to South Florida. Consistent themes include ethnic diversity, immigration, and use of the natural environment.

The museum offers exhibits, summer camps, curriculum-based programs for students, historical site excursions for students, outreach programs for students, evening history programs, family programs, social and ecological history tours for adults, and research library and archive access. The website offers pre-visit materials.

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park [NV]

Description

The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park is one of Carson Valley's first and largest ranches. The ranch was home to German immigrant Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg, who founded the site in 1857. A local businessman, rancher, and politician, Dangberg started his ranch with just a log cabin. At the time of his death in 1904, he had created a 20,000 acre ranching empire that his sons expanded to 48,000 acres. More than five acres of the ranch are now owned by Douglas County and managed by Nevada State Parks. The county and state are restoring the original buildings, including a main house, a stone cellar, a laundry building, a carriage house, a garage, and a bunkhouse. These buildings and original artifacts are on display.

The site offers tours.

Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site [PA]

Description

The Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site consists of Gloria Dei, also known as the Old Swedes' Church. The structure is the oldest church in Pennsylvania, having been completed in 1700. Nils Collins, pastor between 1784 and 1831, was a friend of Benjamin Franklin's. The cemetery includes the interment site of Alexander Wilson (1766-1813), known as the father of American ornithology.

The site offers exhibits and self-guided tours of the interior and cemetery. The website offers a cemetery guide. The church retains an active religious community. For this reason, the site may be closed to the public for religious services and ceremonies.