As a place-based program, Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) gives learners an opportunity to explore the stories of the places that shape American history. Learning about historic places through the use of primary source materials, activities, and discussion questions can help us find a sense of identity and cultural comradery through the discovery and exploration of place.
Why focus on place?
The lessons offered here provide learners with tangible links to the past. Making connections across time helps us understand what happened and why. This process creates opportunities for empathic understanding and learning. By studying place as a primary resource, we learn about past peoples, cultures, events, and, ultimately, about ourselves. As we focus on place, we can also consider how to acknowledge and honor all those who have gone before and created the world we now inhabit.
Place & Virtual Travel
But do we need to visit a historic site in person for it to be important? No! Whether we physically travel to a site or explore its history online, that place has historical value. As you’ll discover from using these lessons, a historic place can be an important learning tool – whether nearby or miles away. In fact, many of the lesson plans prompt learners to apply what they’ve learned about a historic site to places in their own community. The sites featured in the lessons tell a larger story about our national history, stories that have connections to our own communities.
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Why Historic Places?Find out more about why “place” is important when learning about American history.
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Lesson PlansDiscover a wide range of TwHP lessons searchable by location, theme, time period, and curriculum.
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Curious about Heritage Travel?Learn about heritage travel and its power to spark our curiosity.
Last updated: June 30, 2021