Museum of African American History - Educational Programs

BOSTON

NANTUCKET

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The Museum of African American History is dedicated to preserving, conserving and accurately interpreting the contributions of African Americans in New England from the colonial period through the 19th century.


EDUCATION PROGRAMS
For information about any of the Museum’s Education Programs, call 617-725-0022 ext. 221, or email L'Merchie Frazier. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMS.
Teachers Summer Institute: Standing in the Shadow of American History June/July In partnership with the Boston Public Schools, the Institute is a professional development program for 40 American History teachers. The program includes lectures by African American history scholars, tours of the Black Heritage Trail® and the Museum of African American History, and group projects. This year’s theme is Antebellum Black Boston (working title). In 2012, the theme will be the 54th Massachusetts Regiment and the Civil War offered to prepare Boston School teachers for the upcoming sesquicentennial of the formation of the 54th in 2013. Camp MAAH: Child’s Play: Dig and Discover the Archaeology of Black New England July/August This program provides a unique, interactive half-day educational experience inner-city day camps and youth programs in July and August each year. Students participate in a simulated dig and discovery of material culture in New England and engage in carefully crafted science and history lessons. Dig and Discover Stories of 19th Century Black New Englanders October The Museum’s participation in Archaeology Month (October) programs in Massachusetts is an archaeology workshop for children who will become familiar with the work of an archaeologist through a hands-on, interactive workshop inside the Museum. Participants will dig, wash, mend, identify and classify artifacts in simulated dig stations using archaeological methods and techniques. They will compare current life styles with those of African Americans who lived in and contributed to Boston’s early history. For students in grades 3 and above.	Learning from the Past: Giant Steps in a Small Space The Abiel Smith School was built in 1835, the first building erected in the country as a school for African American students. Susan Paul, the daughter of Reverend Thomas Paul, first minister at the African Meeting House, was a teacher at the Smith School This interactive workshop provides today’s students with an opportunity to experience what it was like to go to school in 1835 through a live historic interpretation of Susan Paul. Taught by “Susan Paul”, participants will learn how students learned to read, spell, cipher and recite in the 1800s and compare what they learn to today’s classroom experience. For students in grade 5. People and Places In collaboration with BOAF, the Learning from the Past workshop (above) is combined with a special Black Heritage Trail® tour of the Smith School neighborhood about the role of Boston’s free black community in securing equal education opportunity for all of Boston’s children. Saturday Family Day Kwanzaa Workshop December A family interactive workshop featuring an African drumming performance and setting of the Kwanzaa table. Underground Railroad Overnight Adventure/Experience September-May Middle and high school students (15 groups of 20 or more each) can spend the night (Adventure) or an evening (Experience) at the Museum and take a guided flashlight tour of the Underground Railroad sites on Beacon Hill. Program includes historical reenactment, singing, storytelling, using maps and art.