Summer Programs in DC: Cursive, Immigration, July 4th, Genealogy, Magna Carta and a Sleepover!

If you’ll be near Washington, DC, join us for our upcoming programs and professional development opportunities.

Magna Carta Family Day
Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Magna Carta
Read the translation from Latin.

Celebrate 800 years of Magna Carta!  Meet Eileen Cameron and Doris Ettlinger, the author and illustrator of Rupert’s Parchment: Story of Magna Carta, a new book perfect for ages 6-11.  Participants will engage in hands-on activities as they discover more about this document that helped shaped how we think about rights.

Magna Carta is widely viewed as one of the most important legal documents in the history of democracy. With it, the King of England placed himself and England’s future sovereigns and magistrates within the rule of law. The copy housed at the National Archives was created in 1297 and placed on loan to the National Archives as a gift to the American people by David M. Rubenstein.

Saving Cursive: New tools in the fight for Handwriting
Thursday, June 25, 1–3 p.m.

George Washington’s nomination of Alexander Hamilton and others
George Washington’s nomination of Alexander Hamilton and others, September 11, 1789. From the Records of the U.S. Senate

Digital technology and time pressures in today’s classroom raise questions about whether teaching cursive handwriting is relevant or worthwhile.  However, growing research says cursive provides benefits that keyboarding does not and linking handwriting to academic success.  Linda Shrewsbury, creator and president of CursiveLogic, will demonstrate her intuitive approach for teaching cursive handwriting. Consider this event one step towards preserving cursive for the next generation.

This program is presented in partnership with Fahrney’s Pens.

Independence Day Celebration 
Saturday, July 4

Join us July 4thFlags on National Archives Building as we celebrate our nation’s birthday! Exhibits, including the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, which houses the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, will be open 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. From 11 a.m.–4 p.m., enjoy hands-on family activities, including story time, crafts and more!  Meet John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Ned Hector, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.

This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and John Hancock Financial.

History, Heroes, and Treasures SleepoverSleepover in the Rotunda
July 25-26

Kids ages 8-12 along with their adults will participate in activities, talk with historical figures from history, sleep in the Rotunda near the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and make memories to last a lifetime. Learn more.

Genealogy Camp for Kids Ages 12 and Up
July 20-24, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Girl in Exhibit

This hands-on camp will introduce the basics of genealogy research and help kids discover how to use the resources of the National Archives to be history detectives into their past!
Learn more.

This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and John Hancock Financial.

Immigration Workshop: Professional Development for Teachers
Thursday, August 6, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Ellis Island Menu
Menu for the Immigrant Dining Room on Ellis Island, 1/21/1920. From the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Join us as we explore the topic of immigration using primary sources from the National Archives. During this three-hour workshop, you will examine a selection of high quality facsimiles of documents from Ellis Island, Angel Island, and other immigration stations across the United States.

Together we will brainstorm innovative means to introduce these rich sources into your teaching. The workshop will also include a tour of the National Archives’ new permanent exhibit Records of Rights. To register or for more information, email education@nara.gov with the subject line: Immigration Workshop.

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