Dianne Swann-Wright, Director of African American and Special Programs at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, introduces Mulberry Row at Monticello, along which slave quarters and workshops which supported the estate stood.
To view this video, select "Scholars," followed by "Dianne Swann-Wright." Choose one of the Windows Media options.
During the World War II years, a series of groundbreaking radio programs tried to mend the deep racial and ethnic divisions that threatened America. At a time when blacks were usually shown on the radio as lazy buffoons, the federal government and civil rights activists used radio for a counter attack. Did radio unify America in the face of war? This documentary is divided into three downloadable sections.
To listen to this documentary, select "Part One," "Part Two," or "Part Three" beside the text "Radio Fights Jim Crow."
Professor Karen Sawislak reviews the history of women in the workplace and women's work during the 19th century in the U.S. She looks at changes over this period and how this history is perceived and taught today.
Professor Lauren Coodley reviews the life of writer and activist Upton Sinclair. She focuses on the details of his life not commonly included in his popular image as a "muckraker."
Professor Nell Painter discusses the research that went into the writing of her book Standing at Armageddon: The United States, 1877-1919. She focuses on grassroots politics and labor movements during this period, and the political reaction to and fear of them.
To view this lecture, scroll to "Nell Painter" under "American History Institute," which is in turn located under "E-Lectures."
Michael Ray narrates a basic overview of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The presentation looks particularly at the union's founders and the government reaction to the growing strength of the IWW and includes clips of IWW propaganda.
Professor Ken Masugi looks at the functioning of the Supreme Court. He then examines the 1952 Supreme Court Case Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. Sawyer, in which the steel company Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. petitioned that President Harry Truman exceeded his presidential powers by instructing Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer to seize control of the U.S. steel industry, under wartime powers.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session one, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.
This lecture provides a narrative account of the rapid migration to and development of California during the Gold Rush years, from 1849 through 1884. It describes the wild scramble for profit, exploitation of resources, and relative lawlessness during the early years, while also emphasizing the role of farmers in the Gold Rush—first as supporters of the miners, and then in conflict with the miners.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to "Like America Only More So: The Origins and Power of California's Image," and select "Listen to Broadcast."
The Northeast branch of the National Archives provides access to historic documents from the states of New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, in addition to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Research can be conducted at two main locations in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City, as well as within a microfilm research area in Pittsfield, Massacusetts (Silvio O. Conte National Records Center, 10 Conte Drive).
The Boston-area archives holds documents from 1780 to present pertaining to the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts. Records include, but are not limited to, census and naturalization records, Dawes Commission final cards of the Five Civilized Tribes, Chinese Exclusion cases, and passenger arrival lists.
Topics of emphasis within the collection include port commerce, desegregation, War of 1812, the Amistad case, naval stations, lighthouses, the Chinese Exclusion Act, MIT and Harvard World War II research projects, and arms manufacturing. With so much information at your fingertips, a pre-visit look through the available finding aids may be a wise time investment.
Interested in researching military records or conducting genealogical research? Access a listing of upcoming genealogical workshops. All workshops are free, but require advance registration.
Earn PD points by attending five free, monthly Thursday night programs for educators, or attend other in-service teaching with document programs. Access the calendar to plan which events to attend. Large groups can request that workshops be conducted at their own location.
In the Boston area? Plan a free, hands-on archival field trip for your class, be it kindergarten or high school. Programs are customizable, designed to meet state curriculum standards, and include a behind-the-scenes tour. Example programs address the 54th Mass. Colored Regiment, the Revolutionary War, Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson, the Constitution, and migration and immigration. Please schedule ahead. The site is handicap-accessible and contains a lunchroom.
The phone and fax numbers to the left are for the Boston/Waltham location.
The New York City location holds documents from 1695 through the 1990s pertaining to New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Online finding aids are an excellent way of determining whether or not the archives may have the type of documents which you desire.
The archives offers an extensive series of public programs, including tours conducted upon request, open houses, and workshops. Workshop topics can include census records, Chinese Americans, customs records, maritime history, Civil War prize cases, and more.
Attend free professional development workshops appropriate for teachers (including home school teachers) and administrators.
Consider ordering a free CD correlating the contents of Our Documents to New Jersey and New York educational standards.
You can also schedule K-12 field trips complete with hands-on research and tours of the archives' facility.
The Northeast archives hosts a collection of online exhibits, ranging in topic from the real life von Trapp family to the Slocum tragedy.
Finally, download packets consisting of documents, transcriptions, related questions and activities, and information on how the topic relates to the standards. Teachable Texts is upgraded regularly.
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.