This teacher resource challenges students to think about the Jefferson desk and the Declaration of Independence as objects that are valuable sources of historical information. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects and lesson plans focusing on the Jefferson Desk and the Declaration of Independence.  Also included are annotated links to other online resources that are related to the Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence.

This resource is from The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.