United States Capitol Historical Society

 

In February 2024, USCHS took its civic education programming on the road, holding a teacher training workshop on the 1876 presidential election and the role of Congress in the electoral college at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in Fremont, Ohio. This civic education programming was the first of its kind for the Society, and we were delighted to have an impressive group of 24 teachers representing 12 states nationwide attending the workshop.

An audience of teachers and the public enjoyed a debut stage reading of the new play Electionland, written by Jean Bordewich, produced by StoryWorks, and performed by local area actors. Following this was a full day of teaching workshops where USCHS staff showcased the updated “We the People” Hub of online teaching resources and presented new lesson plans and activities using primary resources from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Library of Congress.

USCHS thanks NARA’s National Historical Publications and Research Commission for administering this new civic education initiative and to Society staff Eric Denyer, Education Specialist, Katey Ryan, Education Fellow, and Janna Deitz, Ph.D., Project Director, for their work in moving our civic education work ahead! We are excited to develop new ways to tell the story of Congress and its role in American government as part of our nation’s broader efforts in civic education.

 

For more information about the U.S. Capitol Historical Society and upcoming educational programs, please visit www.CapitolHistory.org.

Contact:

Janna Deitz, Ph.D.
jdeitz@uschs.org
Phone: 202-543-8919 ext. 20

U.S. Capitol Historical Society
200 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002

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We believe that every student deserves an education about our nation’s history, that inspires them to be the best citizens they can be, no matter their background. Our “We the People” Constitution Tours™ provide immersive educational experiences for eighth-grade students from D.C. Title I schools, ensuring that students from historically underserved communities can explore the foundations of our democracy firsthand. During the program, students visit important sites related to the Constitution including the George Mason Memorial, the National Archives, the U.S. Capitol Building, and The People’s House: A White House Experience. As the cost of providing these tours continues to rise, your donation will help cover essential expenses, including transportation, lunches, knowledgeable tour guides, and educational materials.

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“We the People,” speaks to the freedoms and responsibilities inherent in the Constitution of the United States of America. For Jim and me, it has been of the greatest importance that all citizens have an understanding of the democratic process and rule of law in order to be active participants in the form of self-governance laid out by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I believe that my support in Jim’s name of the “We the People” tours is essential for the future of our country.

– Mrs. Penny Morrill on why she supports the “We the People” Constitution Tours

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