To recognize the philanthropic efforts of some of America's wealthiest individuals, Teaching with Historic Places has posted on the web the following complete lesson plans that highlight how their various contributions impacted American society. Created by National Park Service interpreters, preservation professionals, and educators, these lessons are free and ready for immediate classroom use by students in history and social studies classes.

• Carnegie Libraries: The Future Made Bright
  Discover how and why industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie chose libraries to be among his greatest benefactions to the U.S., and assess the impact of libraries on American society.
  

• Iron Hill School: An African-American One-Room School
  Discover how an early 20th-century philanthropist reformed Delaware's education system for African-American children.

• Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site: Monument to the Gilded Age
  Discover how the Vanderbilts became one of the wealthiest families in America and how their lifestyle influenced business, culture, architecture, and society in ways that still affect us today.

 
To learn more about TwHP's other lessons, visit the Lesson Plan Descriptions page.