Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "West Point in the Making of America Homepage"

Travis Panorama

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:43:58 GMT

In this online exhibition, students can see a dramatic recreation of how the Travis Panorama would have been presented, using the original narration .Near the end of the Civil War, veterans of the Army of the Cumberland commissioned the artist William D. T. Travis to memorialize the career of General William S. Rosecrans and his campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee. Travis produced a huge panorama on a single roll of canvas over 500 feet long. Today, the original panorama is too fragile for display. The Travis Panorama is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.

Gouverneur Warren's Expedition

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:22:17 GMT

Join Gouverneur Warren on his 1856 expedition into the American frontier and identify the specimens he sent back to the Smithsonian for study and classification in this interactive activity. Students will begin by reading a letter that Warren sent to the Smithsonian and will then match specimens to the locations that they were found on a map of Warren's expeditions. A wonderful example of object-based learning, this activity will help students learn more about the connections between science, history and the work of museums. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled West Point in the Making of America.

The Price of Freedom: Americans at War Homepage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:06:40 GMT

Americans have gone to war to win their independence, expand their national boundaries, define their freedoms, and defend their interests around the globe. This online exhibition examines how wars have shaped the nations' history and transformed American society. Students will learn about American military history through the use of an interactive timeline, brief movies, and objects from the museum's vast collections. Also included are a collection search, an interactive game, and learning resources.