Expert on African-American textiles Gladys-Marie Fry looks at the symbolism found in quilts made by African-American men in slavery. She examines two quilts in particular, one a wedding present for an owner, containing African religious and mythological symbols, and the second a quilt depicting medicinal herbs.
Historian John Michael Vlach introduces the Hampton Estate in Towson, MD. Built in 1745, the estate's owners worked in various industries and farming ventures, and owned many slaves.
Dianne Swann-Wright, Director of African-American and Special Programs at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, looks at what artifacts found at Monticello reveal about the lives of slaves on the estate and the questions such artifacts raise.
Dianne Swann-Wright, Director of African-American and Special Programs at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, discusses the contributions of slaves in creating Monticello—both in clearing the land and establishing the house itself and in crafting furniture and other pieces to finish the house.
Historian Carroll Gibbs discusses African American life in Georgetown prior to and just after the Civil War, looking at laws that discriminated against and segregated African Americans, at historic churches in the area, at records that suggest African Americans escaped from Georgetown by the Underground Railroad, and at reactions to African Americans' gaining the right to vote.
Historian John Michael Vlach looks at the stables at Hampton National Historic Site. He talks about the work slaves did in these stables, including as stablehands and jockeys, during the antebellum period.
Historian Carroll Gibbs discusses the foundation and early years of Georgetown (now part of Washington, D.C.), looking particularly at the role of African Americans in the community. He touches on the slave trade and also on the growth of African-American churches and religious communities in the city.
What do an English historian, an Italian wine merchant, an anti-slavery advocate, and the Father of the Constitution have in common? Each of these individuals—Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, Philip Mazzei, Francis Asbury, and James Madison—paid one or more visits during the years 17831789 to the retired leader of the American Revolutionary forces, George Washington, at his Virginia waterfront plantation, Mount Vernon. Perhaps these guests marveled at the brilliant colors of the mansion's main dining room. They might have strolled around the grounds and seen the slaves performing the multitude of tasks necessary to make the plantation flourish. It's likely that the visitors sat on the east-facing piazza and watched the ships sail up and down the Potomac River. Finally, and most significantly, these visitors—and others like them—participated in dialogues and discussions at Mount Vernon which resulted in the creation of the American constitutional system. The Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshop, "Shaping the Constitution: A View from Mount Vernon 178389," funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities We the People initiative, is an opportunity for educators (and ultimately their students) to gain a better understanding of Mount Vernon as a crossroads for the discussion of ideas that led to the Constitution. In brief, the workshop offers academic content about Mount Vernon, George Washington, and the Constitution; the opportunity to engage in scholarly discourse with leading academics; a stipend to help cover housing and meal costs; a transportation allowance; networking with other social studies teachers from around the nation; and ongoing professional development opportunities and the opportunity to earn graduate credit.
Bill of Rights Institute; George Washington's Mount Vernon
Phone number
703-894-1776
Target Audience
K-12
Start Date
Cost
Free; $750 stipend
Course Credit
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants will be provided with certificates verifying their attendance at all required sessions. There will be approximately 35 hours of actual instruction within the workshop. Participants should determine in advance to what degree their state or local school districts will accept participation in the workshop for continuing education units. However, the Bill of Rights Institute and Mount Vernon will work with participants to provide sufficient documentation for their school districts. This year, the workshop is able to provide an academic credit option for those interested. Ashland Unversity in Ohio will grant two semester hours of Education graduate credit to participants who submit a teaching activity and pay a total tuition charge of $400. Registration will be handled on the first day of the program and participants must bring either a check or credit card information if they would like to earn these credits.