Teaching units about the Great Depression include the Works Projects (also Progress) Administration (WPA). The records of this government program that put millions of unemployed Americans to work in public works projects are held in the National Archives. They reveal fascinating stories about local history: the building of the school cafeteria, curb cuts, road improvements...and … Continue reading WPA Art Links Past to Present: Thinking About Boston
Today's opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, makes 13 Presidential Libraries that are administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Part of the Library and Museum’s mission is to encourage students of all ages to learn more about the Presidency, the … Continue reading Resources from the New George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
We are now accepting applications for Primarily Teaching—our summer institute on using historical documents in the classroom. Information and the application is available on our website. Workshops will be conducted at the following National Archives locations: Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) June 17–20, 2013 Atlanta (Morrow, GA) July 15–19, 2013 Boston (Waltham, MA) July 22–26, 2013 … Continue reading Summer Professional Development Workshops
I co-wrote today’s post with Stephen Wesson at the Library of Congress. It is also posted on the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog. In 10 words or less, it’s what we've got and how we got it. But we’ll go on. Because we get asked this question a lot. Both of us do. And because both … Continue reading What’s the difference between the National Archives and the Library of Congress?
Watching C-SPAN or using the old textbook flow chart can be a pretty boring way to teach the legislative process. As future voters, it is important for students to understand how lawmaking works and what role they will play in that process. But how can you do it without putting your students to sleep? Making … Continue reading Dumping the Flow Chart of the Legislative Process
Today's post comes from Jenny Sweeney, education specialist at the National Archives at Fort Worth. This Friday, April 12th, the biographical movie 42 about Jackie Robinson is set to be released. Millions of people will flock to theaters to relive or learn for the first time the baseball icon’s story. In 1947, Robinson crossed the color line … Continue reading The Rest of 42’s Story: Jackie Robinson as Civil Rights Activist
Today's post comes from Carol Buswell, education specialist at the National Archives at Seattle. Archives are almost nothing like libraries, except that they are open to the public for research purposes. Be prepared to learn something completely new. First, let’s talk about what you’re probably used to: libraries. Libraries collect documents. They are in competition … Continue reading What’s in the National Archives and how’s it organized?
From 1947 through 1952, the White House underwent a complete reconstruction within its original exterior walls. To get a better idea about the transformation of the White House, and "witness" its 1950s renovation compared to the current look of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, you and your students can take a visual tour of the Blue Room on Historypin. Shortly after … Continue reading Inside the White House on Historypin
