Archive for the ‘Teacher Opportunities’ Category

The history of the slaves that lived and worked at Mount Vernon is an integral part of the story that we tell. George Washington spent 40 years transforming a small farmhouse into the iconic mansion that stands today, as well as expanding his land to include five farms, a gristmill, distillery, and blacksmith shop. While Washington played a very active role in overseeing his farms and managing renovations on his home, he was no DIY-er. At Washington’s death in 1799, there were 316 slaves living and working at Mount Vernon, and it was these men, women, and children who made Mount Vernon a beautiful, prosperous plantation. To ensure that these individuals are not ignored in the classroom, we provide a range of lesson plans about slave life at Mount Vernon on our website. The elementary lesson “A Day at Mount Vernon” uses a story to show the connections between the Washington family and their slaves, the middle school lesson, “Washington & Slavery: 1799 Census” examines the slave census that Washington compiled shortly before his death, and the high school lesson, “George Washington Stood Here on the Issue of Slavery” examines the contradictions of being both a slave owner and a freedom fighter. Please leave a comment about ways that you teach about colonial slavery in your classroom!

If you are 1. an educator, and 2. on Facebook, be sure to become a fan of “Mount Vernon Teachers” and say “hi!” After all, we have long been a fan of you! We know that you already religiously keep up to date with George Washington Wired, but come have some fun with us on Facebook, too.

For the first time, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will hold a Summer Institute for Teachers at Mount Vernon this year. Apply now for George Washington and the American Revolution, which will be held from June 27 – July 3, 2010. Andrew Robertson, Professor of History, Lehman College, The City University of New York is the director of this exploration of the American Revolution as two different historical events. One was the War for Independence, 1775-1783, that began with Lexington and Concord and concluded with the Treaty of Paris and the evacuation of the British from New York. The “other” American Revolution occurred in the hearts and minds of the American people.

This revolution began in the pamphlets and protests of the 1760s, continued in the Continental Congress, and helped inspire new institutions that emerged after the War for Independence: the abolition of slavery in the North, expanded public roles for women, and the separation of church and state. Both revolutions had global historical significance. George Washington was the pivotal figure in the War for Independence but he played an important role in the second revolution as well. Washington was a representative Virginia planter at the outset of the Revolutionary War. By the time the war concluded, Washington’s ideas about slavery, race, and republican government had been transformed. His leadership after the Revolution helped insure the conservation of both American Revolutions. Teachers accepted into the program will live on Washington’s estate and enjoy unprecedented access to Mount Vernon. More information and an application are available here.

Colonial Days is one of Mount Vernon’s most popular school programs- what child doesn’t want to see colonial crafters such as papermakers and basketmakers, meet a soldier in full regalia, visit the baby animals, or play colonial games down on the Pioneer Farm? It’s the ultimate field trip experience. Of course, teachers seem to love it just as much, especially the colonial chocolate making, but this year we are extending a special invitation to teachers to meet our new blacksmith. The reconstructed blacksmith shop just opened this past spring, and as you come in to meet the new blacksmith, Eric, he would like to gift each teacher a beautiful, handcrafted iron wall hook. Colonial Days runs from 9:30 am- 1:00 pm, Tuesday-Friday, October 20-November 13, 2009 and this spring, February 17-March 12, 2010. Plan your visit and register your field trip here.