Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To Book "Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak"

"Towne of Boston" Flintlock Musket

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:02:28 GMT

American flintlock musket, .69 caliber, with "TOWNE OF BOSTON" branded into the stock.

This gun was put together in the Massachusetts Colony before the French and Indian War to arm the militia of the city of Boston.

Lexington and Concord: A Historical Interpretation Lesson

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:41:31 GMT

Engage middle school students in historical document analysis with three contrasting images of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Using a graphic organizer, students will examine three primary sources and analyze the different perspectives presented in each. After completing the analysis, students will display their interpretations of the "true" story in their own illustrations. This lesson plan includes background information, full-color images of primary sources, and a student worksheet.

This lesson plan was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Lydia Post

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:22:20 GMT

Lydia Minturn Post, a Long Island patriot, expresses her fear that the American Revolution will fail. Ms. Post discusses the disparities between the British and Colonial forces and the true meaning behind the colonists will to fight.
This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the General George Washington, Military leader lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

War of Independence

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:37:36 GMT

Americans went to war to win their independence from Great Britain. Through the use of images and objects from the Museum's collections, students will learn about the involvement of colonial militias during the French and Indian War, the causes of the Revolution, life in the Continental Army, the major battles of the War of Independence, the participants on both sides of the conflict and the legacy of General George Washington. This website is part of the online exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. A non-flash version of the site is availalbe: The War of Independence.