Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Drive Through Time"

America on the Move Homepage

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:12:13 GMT

This online exhibition explores the role of transportation in American history. Students will learn about communities wrestling with the changes that new transportation networks brought; how cities change, suburbs expand, and farms and factories become part of regional, national and international economies; and hear the stories of people who travel for work and pleasure, and move to new homes. This online exhibition also includes an interactive collection search, thematic essays by museum staff and guest curators, interactive games and learning resources for the classroom and home.

The website includes the following subsections: Transportation in America before 1876; Community Dreams (Santa Craz, California); Delivering the Goods (Watsonville, California); A Streetcar City (Washington, D.C.); People on the Move; the Connected City (New York, New York); Crossing the Country; Americans Adopt the Auto; Lives on the Railroad (Salisbury, North Carolina); The People's Highway: Route 66; Roadside Communities (Ring's Rest, Muirkirk, Maryland); Family Camping (York Beach, Maine); On the School Bus (Martinsburg, Indiana); Suburban Strip (Sandy Boulevard, Portland, Oregon); City and Suburb (Chicago and Park Forest, Illinois); On the Interstate (I-10); Transforming the Waterfront (San Francisco, California and Oakland, California); and Going Global (Los Angeles, California)

Where's Everyone Going?

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:29:19 GMT

In this interactive game, students explore the changes in America transportation over time as they match a variety of vehicles with their destinations and time periods. This interactive is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Be a Movie Director

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:44:17 GMT

In this interactive game, students develop research skills and explore the Museum's collections as they create a movie using images from an online image database. This interactive is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

All Aboard the Train

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:46:24 GMT

Railroads have moved people and cargo around America for more than 180 years. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring the history of trains in America. Focused on actively reading Jingle the Brass, a historical fiction picture book about a ride on a steam locomotive, this module also includes links to a hands-on activity, field trip, and object-based learning experience.

Transportation in America Classroom Activity Guide

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:18:23 GMT

This activity guide accompanies the exhibition America on the Move. It delivers a variety of historical primary source materials from the exhibition directly to your classroom. Through these documents and activities, students can build a deeper understanding of how transportation shaped American commerce, communities, landscapes, and population migrations. It is one of the many resources connected to the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.