The John Marshall Center (JMC), founded in 1987, educates learners of all ages about constitutional history and civics and explores the life and legacy of Chief Justice John Marshall (1755-1835). The JMC joined the Virginia Museum of History & Culture as a signature study center on July 4, 2023, and serves as a hub for civics education throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.
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Civics Connects™
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) is proud to present a major, statewide civics education program for middle grade students—a legacy project of the VMHC’s 250th Initiative.
Civics Connects™, a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive, classroom-ready resource for Virginia students, is born from years of related work by the VMHC and its John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics (JMC). The program offers a robust array of best-in-class educational tools designed with significant input from Virginia educators at every level and includes lesson plans, interactive slides, classroom activities, and the opportunity for onsite educators, subject matter experts, and special museum experiences.
Encompassing lesson plans, activities, and videos featuring middle schoolers on-location around the state, Civics Connects is a major new civics education initiative and a go-to resource for Virginia SOL- and National-standards-aligned civics resources for the middle grades.
Civics engagement is crucial to our nation’s health. The John Marshall Center at the VMHC is amplifying civics education as part of a multi-year commemoration of America’s 250th. With a new chapter ahead for civics education in Virginia, we wanted to know just how knowledgeable are Virginians about civics? Can the average adult answer the same questions our students are asked in school? Watch now to find out!
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is proud to host naturalization ceremonies each year on Presidents Day, Independence Day, and Constitution Day. We salute our new fellow citizens, the oath they took to the Constitution, and the individual stories that brought them to our country.
Student & Teacher Programs
Bring engaging content to your classroom that incorporates award-winning plans about constitutional history and government, connects history with current events, and explores historical themes through exhibitions.
Book a Program
Explore civics history with our experienced educators through on-site field trips or virtual programs in your classroom. Contact us to learn more and book a program.
Lesson Plans
We are in the process of integrating all of our Justice in the Classroom lessons into the new Civics Connects resource. Check back often, as lessons will be added throughout the 2024-2025 school year!
Attorney & Judge Visits
Are you an educator interested in connecting your students with a judge or attorney to deepen their understanding of civics and law? Or, are you a judge or attorney interested in participating in a K-12 classroom program? Contact us to learn more or schedule a program.
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Pop Civ Articles
By connecting current events and popular culture with historical events, these articles and discussion questions provide classrooms and the general public with valuable context to consider our civic legacy.
Program Recordings
Watch recordings of past programs featuring constitutional experts and enthusiasts speaking about the nuances and legacy of John Marshall, civics topics, and history education.
Citizenship Test
Far too few Americans know the basics of history and civics. Less than 1/3 of Americans can pass the citizenship test. Can you pass the test?
Virtual Exhibition Tour
Take a virtual tour of the exhibition, John Marshall: Patriot, Statesman, Chief Justice, developed by the National Constitution Center in partnership with The John Marshall Center.
Upcoming Events
Marshall Scholar Series: Who's Your Founding Father?
About John Marshall
Historical Articles
Read articles about Marshall as historical figure, political leader, and Chief Justice.
American Statesman: John Marshall
Explore the classic biography of this national figure written by Allan B. Magruder.
The John Marshall Historical Collection
Browse artifacts in the museum collections related to the life, career, and legacy of John Marshall.
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For more information about civics education resources or programs related to the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics at the VMHC, please contact Caroline Legros, Manager of Civics Education, at CLegros@VirginiaHistory.org.
John Marshall Center Council
Joni Albrecht, Director of the John Marshall Center
Ryan W. Boggs
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Paul C. Harris
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