Landmarks of American History and Culture: Workshops for School Teachers

The Landmarks of American History and Culture program supports a series of one-week workshops for K-12 educators. NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops use historic sites to address central themes and issues in American history, government, literature, art, music, and related subjects in the humanities. Each workshop is offered twice during the summer. Workshops accommodate thirty-six school teachers (NEH Summer Scholars) at each one-week session. At least one workshop week must serve a national audience and provide housing for participants. The other workshop week may also serve a national audience; alternatively, it may limit its audience to participants who are able to commute and do not require housing. The goals of the workshops are to • increase knowledge and appreciation of subjects, ideas, and places significant to American history and culture through humanities reading and site study; • build communities of inquiry and provide models of civility and of excellent scholarship and teaching; • provide teachers with expertise in the use and interpretation of historical sites and of material and archival resources; and • foster interaction between K-12 educators and scholarly experts. NEH Landmarks Workshops are academically rigorous and focus on primary sources and scholarly works relevant to major themes of American history and culture. Leading scholars should serve as lecturers or session leaders. Workshops should also enable participants to work with primary documents and develop a project. NEH Landmarks Workshops are held at or near sites important to American history and culture, such as presidential residences or libraries; colonial-era settlements; major battlefields; historic districts; parks and preserves; sites of key economic, social, political, and constitutional developments; and places associated with major writers, artists, and musicians. Applicants should make a compelling case for the historical significance of the site(s), the material resources available for use, and the ways in which the site(s) will enhance the workshop.