James O. Horton of George Washington University contrasts the Eastern radical abolitionist views of slavery, epitomized by those of William Lloyd Garrison, with the more conservative views on race relations held in Illinois—from which Abraham Lincoln developed his own views.
To listen to this clip, select "Abolitionism in Antebellum Illinois" under "African-American Experience Video."
Eric Foner of Columbia University discusses the perception of abolitionism in central Illinois, where Lincoln grew up, and Lincoln's own perceptions of slavery and of abolitionism.
To view to this clip, select "Lincoln and Abolitionism" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Professor Dee Andrews reviews the life of Benjamin Franklin, focusing on Franklin's own written materials as a window into his personality and the culture and times within which he lived.
Michael Ray narrates a basic introduction to the Puritan colonists in North America, emphasizing modern misunderstanding and stereotyping of Puritan beliefs and lifestyles.
Professor Ken Masugi examines the 1965 U.S. Supreme Court case Griswold v. Connecticut, in which the Supreme Court ruled that an 1879-established Connecticut law against the use of contraceptives violated a citizen's right to privacy. He looks at how this case interprets the Constitution.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session eight, and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.
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.
Owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the Museum and Research Center presents the history and culture of the Pequot and other North American Native peoples, as well as exploring the natural history of the continent.
The museum offers exhibits, guided tours and enrichment programs for school groups, in-class outreach presentations, on-demand professional development workshops, and research library access.
The American Museum of Fly Fishing maintains the world's largest collection of angling and angling-related items, numbering in the thousands. Its collections and exhibits thoroughly document the evolution of fly fishing as a sport, art form, craft, and industry in the U.S. and abroad, dating as far back as the 16th century. Rods, reels, flies, tackle, art, photographs, manuscripts, and books form the major portions of the Museum's collections.
The museum offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.
The USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides," is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat in the world. Built in 1797, the wooden ship saw active service until 1881, taking part in the War of 1812 and, as a training ship, in the Civil War.
Today, visitors may tour the Constitution.
The Newton History Museum presents permanent and changing exhibits on a variety of local historic topics. Visitors can discover what life was like for New England's earliest settlers, or learn about the abolition movement in Newton and how the Jackson family used their home as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The museum also serves as headquarters for the Newton Historical Society and holds its library and research collection.
The museum offers exhibits, educational programs for students, reference library access, and occasional recreational and educational events.