HistoryConnects K-12 Program Catalog

HistoryConnects K-12 Program Catalog

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A museum educator shows replicas to a group of students online.

Our award-winning catalog of programming for students highlights the vast collection of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture while reinforcing both national and state standards of learning. HistoryConnects sessions are designed to be student-centered and foster inquiry. The programs are centered upon primary sources that can enhance understanding and provoke curiosity about topics students are studying in the classroom.

Browse the catalog below and please email Maggie Creech, Director of Education, to book a HistoryConnects program.

Thanks to the generous support of the Weinstein Properties, HistoryConnects programs for Title I Schools in Virginia are free during the 2023 - 2024 school year. Thanks to the generous support of The Charles Fund, Inc. classrooms in Charlottesville and Albemarle are eligible for free HistoryConnects programming. The generous support of Appalachian Power Company provides free programming for classrooms in Amherst, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Campbell, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Galax, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Montgomery, Nelson, Patrick, Pulaski, Radford, Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties.

HISTORYCONNECTS IN YOUR CLASSROOM


Program Cost:

  • Virginia schools: $75
    Virginia Title I Schools & All Schools in Select Counties*: FREE
    Out-of-state schools: $125
    *Programming for schools in the following counties is free thanks to the support of The Charles Fund, Inc. & Appalachian Power Company:  Charlottesville, Albemarle, Amherst, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Campbell, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Galax, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Montgomery, Nelson, Patrick, Pulaski, Radford, Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties.
  • Discounted rates on program bundles
  • Available for single classrooms or multiple classrooms (at no additional charge) within a school.
  • We offer a selection of free featured programs throughout the school year, and two free 40-minute programs (The Powhatan Indians & The Civil War Solider)

Equipment Needed:

  • For in-person/hybrid students:
    • An internet-connected computer or web-enabled device connected to a projector, monitor, or Smartboard. If possible, please use a wired ethernet connection.
    • An external or built-in webcam positioned to see as many students as possible.
    • A built-in microphone or external USB noise-canceling conference microphone.
    • Speakers loud enough for the room to hear.
  • For virtual students/students connecting individually:
    • An internet connected device.
    • Webcam and microphone access are preferred, but not required. Students can engage using the chat box or polling features.
    • Headphones required if connecting individually in the classroom. 

Connection Information:

  • We can connect on any platform used by the school (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Blackboard Collaborate, etc.). If needed, HistoryConnects can provide a Zoom link for the program. 
  • Participants are encouraged to book a test call before their program.

Featured Program

BRAND NEW! Virtual Tour of the Story of Virginia Exhibition
PROGRAM LENGTH: 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 5th
PROGRAM COST: Free during the 2023 - 2024 School Year

During this program, students will take a guided virtual tour of the VMHC's permanent exhibition The Story of Virginia. The exhibition interprets 16,000 years of Virginia history and features more than 500 artifacts, maps, letters, and diaries. From the earliest American Indian artifacts to life in the state in the twentieth century, students will explore the cultural and historical transformations of the commonwealth as they travel from one gallery to another. This program serves as an excellent review for Virginia Studies students! Space is limited. Please email Maggie Creech to book your program.

 

BRAND NEW! Exhibition Design 101 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 30 - 45 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 9th – 12th
PROGRAM COST: Free during the 2023 - 2024 School Year

How do museums create exhibitions? What does a curator do? What are the best tips and tricks when designing a show? During this 45-minute workshop, students learn more about the behind-the-scenes work of exhibition design. We will discuss choosing themes and corresponding items, how to effectively create engaging displays, and our “Ten Commandments” of exhibition design. This program is perfect for students taking on project-based learning, like Virginia History Day. Please email Maggie Creech to book your program.

 

Featured Program Bundle

PRIMARY SOURCE OF THE MONTH BUNDLE 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL:  4th & 5th Grade, Virginia Studies
BUNDLE COST: 8 Programs - $400, 4 Programs - $200
This bundle features 8 HistoryConnects programs delivered monthly throughout the school year. Each month, a museum educator will lead your students through a guided inquiry process to analyze and interpret a variety of primary sources. The program schedule & sources are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning, and each program focuses on developing history & social science skills. 

LEARN MORE

 


Browse by Century: 17th Century | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century


17th Century Programs

 

THE POWHATAN INDIANS 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 2nd – 12th

Using primary sources as well as replica artifacts created by Mattaponi Indians, students will learn about what life was like for Woodland Indians by examining the Algonquian-speaking Powhatans in Virginia before the first English settlers made it their home. The Powhatans serve as an excellent example of Woodland Indian culture that dominated the eastern United States prior to the European contract. Students will identify the various natural resources used by Native American men, women, and children to make their tools and clothing. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

POCAHONTAS: HER LIFE & LEGEND 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

The study of Pocahontas is an excellent exercise testing the strength of primary versus secondary sources. This program examines the historical evidence of six episodes of her life that are recorded by English settlers and compares those accounts to the mythology created after her death when artists manipulated her story to support causes that they wanted to advance. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

EXPLORING PRIMARY SOURCES: JOHN SMITH'S MAP OF VIRGINIA 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

Maps gained importance during the Age of Exploration. European explorers needed maps to follow and created their own as they explored new lands. Some maps became so important that they were copied repeatedly. These map copies, or derivatives, were especially useful to travelers and explorers to the New World. John Smith’s map of Virginia was one of these influential maps, because of the importance of the Virginia settlement and the accuracy with which Smith conducted his work. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

POWER & AGENCY IN COLONIAL VIRGINIA
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

During this program, students will explore what demographics made colonial Virginians' lives different. This program will study the beginnings of government in Virginia, enslavement versus indentured servitude, the impact of English colonists on Virginia Indians, and how colonial Virginians lived in their day-to-day lives. From objects to paintings to letters & broadsides, this program will look at a variety of different primary sources that shine a light on what life was like in colonial Virginia. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 


18th Century Programs

 

POWER & AGENCY IN COLONIAL VIRGINIA
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

During this program, students will explore what demographics made colonial Virginians' lives different. This program will study the beginnings of government in Virginia, enslavement versus indentured servitude, the impact of English colonists on Virginia Indians, and how colonial Virginians lived in their day-to-day lives. From objects to paintings to letters & broadsides, this program will look at a variety of different primary sources that shine a light on what life was like in colonial Virginia. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

Creating A New Nation: Virginia and the Founding Documents
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 7th – 12th

Virginians played an essential role in the creation of the new American nation. From actions during and following the American Revolution to ideas and documents that established the new country, Virginians were involved at every point. During this program participants will discuss George Washington, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Mason, while examining some of the most important documents in American history: The Declaration of Independence, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, The Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

DIFFERENT PATHS TO FREEDOM: SLAVERY AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

Discover the implications that the American Revolution had on ideas of freedom and liberty. Students will examine the relationship between enslaved African Americans and the American Revolution through an investigation of Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation, James Lafayette’s petition, and Peter Sublett’s manumission. Students will engage in primary source analysis and interpret the importance of the primary source and place it into a historical context. This interactive program will end with a period for questions and answers. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 


19th Century Programs

 

LETTERS FROM A ‘49ER: A VIRGINIAN’S JOURNEY TO FIND CALIFORNIA GOLD
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

In 1849, John Robertson Maben traveled to California in search of gold. In this program, participants will join Maben on his journey. In a series of thirteen letters, Maben describes his travels to his wife, Sarah. These letters are especially vivid as Maben was witness to events both momentous and mundane. He wrote of the cholera epidemic of 1849, the great St. Louis fire that same year, and the excitement and brutality of the California gold fields. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

THE CIVIL WAR: AN AMERICAN TURNING POINT 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

From 1861 to 1865 the country was in a military and social revolution. How we define freedom, liberty, patriotism, and nation today is directly related to the diverse experiences of the individuals who participated in the Civil War. This program will discuss various aspects of the Civil War, including life on the battlefield, life on the home front, the roles of medicine & technology in the Civil War, and the experiences of African Americans, women, & children during the war. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

Abraham Lincoln is often called The Great Emancipator; however, enslaved people were responsible for seizing their own freedom. During this program, students will explore primary sources related to self-emancipation at Fort Monroe and the resulting Confiscation Acts. Students will also analyze the Emancipation Proclamation and explore the impact it had on both enslaved and free African Americans. Through guided historical inquiry your students are introduced to political cartoons as primary sources. They will engage in primary source analysis and interpret the importance of these sources while learning about their historical context. This interactive presentation will end with a period for questions and answers. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

SICK CALL! CIVIL WAR DISEASES, HOSPITALS, & MEDICINE
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

More soldiers died during the American Civil War from diseases than from battle wounds. What were the most common diseases, and how did doctors treat them? This program examines doctors, nurses, and patients in both the North and South and how they dealt with sickness and injury. Students will use an interactive program to help diagnose a sick patients and treat them for their ailments while also learning how surgeons completed wartime amputations. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

DEATH & MEMORY AND THE CIVIL WAR
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 6th – 12th

The goal of this program is to better understand how the country dealt with the deaths of over 620,000 people during the Civil War. Students will use primary sources such as photographs and letters to analyze how the fatalities were felt on the home front. They will leave with a more comprehensive knowledge of how the Civil War changed America’s mourning customs and perspectives of war and death. *This program uses several images of dead bodies, both on battlefields & in staged photos. Please be advised that this may be upsetting to some viewers. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

REBUILDING AMERICA: RECONSTRUCTION AND JIM CROW
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

After the Civil War, Virginians eagerly embraced economic development and technological change while resisting political and social change. Indeed, as Virginia moved forward in many ways and living standards improved, society was rigidly segregated by race. This program examines the ways in which Virginians and other former Confederates dealt with rebuilding and reunification after the Civil War. Particular attention is paid to the impacts of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, the origins of Jim Crow, and other steps taken to disenfranchise African Americans. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 


20th Century Programs

 

PICTURE THIS: VIRGINIA IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

New and rapidly developing technologies allowed the twentieth century to be more visually documented than any previous era. Movies, photography, and new printing methods recorded the sweeping changes that occurred as people moved from the countryside to cities and as the Industrial Revolution came to dominate the new rhythms of life. Join us as we explore themes of urbanization, social change, and politics represented by the photograph, manuscript, and museum collections of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE STARTER PACK 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th & 5th 

Can people support different ways of achieving the same goal? This program looks at how women in the twentieth century had varying perspectives about gaining suffrage. Students will explore the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia through primary sources like broadsides and photographs. They will leave with a better understanding of why women's suffrage was important, and who benefited from the 19th amendment. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

SIGN OF THE TIMES: ACTIVISM IN THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT 
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 7th, US History II 

How did Suffragists convince Congress to ratify the 19th amendment? This program tracks and examines the rhetorical techniques used by Virginia women in the fight to gain women's suffrage. Students will use primary sources from the VMHC's collection to see how tone and word choice intensified during the Suffrage Movement. By exploring how to craft an argument, students will learn how writing influenced social activism. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

FIGHTING JIM CROW
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 4th – 12th

How did Black Americans fight against Jim Crow during the 20th century? From Richmond neighborhoods to Farmville classrooms, this program explores how resistance to Jim Crow laws and stereotypes varied across time and place. Students will examine photography and ephemera from the VMHC collections to understand how Black activists worked across a century. Special focus will be paid to dual economies, Black men's service in WWII, and legal action in the Civil Rights Movement. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

LESSONS LEARNED: ANALYZING CONTENT AND TONE IN TEXTBOOKS
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 7th – 12th

Lessons Learned is an interactive analysis of Southern history in Virginia textbooks. Our topics focus on African American history, from the beginnings of slavery through the Reconstruction. Students will work alongside our educators to carefully examine the tone and content in textbooks from the nineteenth through twenty-first centuries. This program compares the Lost Cause narrative prevalent in many textbooks with artifacts found at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

 

FRESH PAINT: MURALS INSPIRED BY THE STORY OF VIRGINIA
PROGRAM LENGTH: 45 – 60 Minutes | GRADE LEVEL: 6th – 12th

Fresh Paint features murals inspired by Virginia’s history. Ten of Virginia’s most talented mural artists were provided unrestricted access to the museum’s vast collection of books, letters, maps, artwork, photographs, and objects. Each artist chose objects that interested them and used those stories as inspiration for an original painting reflecting the Commonwealth’s diverse history. Throughout the program, participants will explore the role of history in art, engage in a discussion about artistic process and influence, analyze artist statements & artwork, and develop an appreciation for artistic interpretation & historical events. Please email Maggie Creech to book a program.

 

A headshot of Maggie Creech

Ready to book a distance learning program or interested in learning more? Please contact Maggie Creech, Director of Education, at mcreech@VirginiaHistory.org or 804.342.9652. Email is preferred.