Revolutionary Revelations: Unveiling America's Founding Treasures
The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati & The Center for Civic Education Joint Professional Learning Webinar
Join us for an interactive webinar commemorating Constitution Day 2024! Explore how the American Revolution and its foundational documents shaped the ideals of self-governance and democratic principles in the United States. Delve into rare historical documents and objects from the American Revolution Institute's collection and uncover the challenges and triumphs of establishing a new nation. Engage with a thought-provoking lesson plan from the Center for Civic Education that uses primary sources to illuminate the necessity of rules and laws in a democratic society. This webinar equips educators with valuable insights and resources to enhance civic education and inspire students to become informed and engaged citizens.
Program Objectives and Benefits
- Engage deeply: Participants will closely examine and interpret primary source documents and objects from the American Revolution era.
- Enhance teaching skills: Participants will learn how to effectively incorporate primary sources into their classroom instruction to teach about the American Revolution and the founding principles of the United States.
- Discover curriculum connections: Participants will explore how to connect historical documents and an inquiry-based lesson plan to deepen students' understanding of the need for rules and laws in a democratic society.
- Appreciate historical significance: Participants will better appreciate the ideals and principles that motivated the American Revolution and shaped the U.S. Constitution.
- Network and collaborate: Participants will connect with fellow educators, historians, and organizations promoting civic education and historical literacy.
- Celebrate Constitution Day: Participants will commemorate Constitution Day 2024 by reflecting on the enduring significance of the U.S. Constitution.
About the Orgs
The American Revolution Institute of the Society of Cincinnati is an organization dedicated to promoting understanding and appreciation of the American Revolution and its legacy. It is affiliated with the Society of Cincinnati, one of the oldest patriotic organizations in the United States, founded in 1783.
The Center for Civic Education is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting an enlightened and responsible citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy in the United States and other countries. The Center's programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to be informed and engaged citizens.
Presenters
Stacia Smith
Director of Education, American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati
Stacia Smith is the director of education of the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati. Stacia began her work with the Society in 2017 after a twenty-three-year career serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a public educator and town administrator. As a classroom teacher she worked extensively with the education departments at Mount Vernon and the Massachusetts Historical Society, was a research fellow at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and wrote lessons for the American Studies Institute co-hosted by the University of Massachusetts and the JFK Library. Stacia’s lesson plans were twice honored by the History Channel, in 2008 and 2013. Her undergraduate degree is from Grove City College and her master’s degree is from the University of Connecticut.
Rachel Nellis
Research Services Librarian, American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati
Rachel Nellis joined the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati as its research services librarian in July 2019. A native of Batavia, Illinois just outside of Chicago, Rachel holds her undergraduate degree from St. Louis University as a double major in French and history. She went on to earn her master’s degree in information science from the University of Texas at Austin. Rachel has worked as an archives intern or employee for the Briscoe Center for American History at UT-Austin, the Baseball Hall of Fame, National Public Radio, and the Cosmos Club.
Emily Schulz Parsons
Deputy Director and Curator, American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati
Emily Schulz Parsons is the deputy director and curator for the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, a position she has held since 2003. She oversees the Institute’s museum programs, including its collections, exhibitions, and public events, as well as the interpretation of Anderson House, the 1905 mansion that has been the Society’s headquarters since 1937 and a museum since 1939. She has also co-curated exhibitions at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Washington Antiques Show. This work has inspired her research interests in the history and material culture of the Revolutionary era and in the cultural history of Gilded Age America, especially art collecting practices. She received an M.A. in history and a certificate in museum studies from the University of Delaware and a B.A. in history from Washington and Lee University.
Professional Development
The Center has offered high-quality educator professional development for decades. Today, we provide such opportunities through our partners in several states in addition to organized Center events, self-paced online courses, and special webinars.
