One can't make the trip to New Orleans for NAESP's Annual Convention and Exposition without checking out a few of the historic and cultural attractions that are within a short walk, or streetcar or cab ride, from the Morial Convention Center and the convention hotels. This article presents a taste of what one can explore between convention events.

A typical U.S. high school student today might be able to recite some milestones of civil rights history--the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-56; the Freedom Rides of 1961; and (some would add) the election of the first African American president in 2008. But how many students understand that these events, which historians call out as milestones,…

Once famous mainly for stockyards and steel mills, Chicago now boasts more top-rated five-star restaurants than any other city in the United States and has been voted by various publications as one of the "Top 10 U.S. Destinations," one of the "Best Walking Cities" in the United States, and one of the "Ten Best Places to…

As a literary work initiated and directed by a committee of women, the "Pageant of Paha Sapa" captures the zeitgeist of the post-frontier era through the eyes of the influential women of one small town. Like all origin myths, this script presented the current populace as the rightful heirs of the place and its resources, having won them…

Armed with digital cameras, voice recorders, and movie cameras, students from Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Virginia, have been exploring neighborhoods, interviewing residents, and collecting memories of their hometown. In this article, the author describes "Digital History of Chester", a project for creating a commemorative DVD.…

As part of its bicentennial celebration, the Library of Congress is sponsoring the Local Legacies project, an unprecedented effort in which Americans across the nation work with their members of Congress to document unique traditions for the collections of the American Folklife Center. Libraries will have a critical role in directing documentation…

High school writers discover the "rich source of history and lore" that is their small town. A description of the processes students used to write and publish three collections of local history along with meeting state language arts standards is presented.

Discusses the author's experience of creating and directing a community-based, oral history play. Reflects on the pedagogical significance of community-based theater. Proposes the students involved were transformed even as they strove to transform the community. Concludes that the give-and-take between radically reinventing cultural constructions…

This paper summarizes the various visually-oriented and informational projects that were developed to enhance the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the town of Cody (Wyoming). Some of the projects that were developed included: (1) a slide show presentation detailing Cody's growth from 1896 to the 1920s; (2) a pictorial…

In Paxton, Nebraska, Charlotte Hogg discovers her grandmother and other community women contributed memoirs to the town library, wrote for the newspaper, and wrote histories of the town, churches, and school. These women were responsible for the rhetorical education of the community through their literacy practices.St

In 1868, Africatown was established in Mobile and Prichard, Alabama, by members of the last cargo of slaves brought to the United States. The community deserves recognition as a National Historic District because it is one of the few places in America where most residents can collectively trace their lineage to a group of pure Africans. In its…

Discusses pros and cons of "personal anthropology" as a teaching tool for university students, particularly in a small town. Reviews the social history of "city forming" and "city maintaining" processes in Oswego, NY, and illustrates how beginning undergraduates can study these processes. (CJM)

The history of Amityville, New York, compiled by 11th and 12th grade advance placement history students, is presented in journal form. Six papers focus on: (1) South Oaks: The Long Island Home; (2) A History of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Amityville; (3) Amityville: A Vacationland; (4) Amityville School System from 1904 to Present;…

These papers illustrate concrete ways in which historical archaeological resources and projects can become known to wider audiences with appropriate messages of heritage values, resource preservation and study, and excitement of proper discovery. The papers claim that the media, newspapers, and other researchers are the pipeline to citizens and…

Results of a cooperative project among students, teachers, administrators, and community members involved in ethnic studies activities are reported. The document describes goals, procedures, results, and evaluation. A resource handbook is also included. Four goals were established: to identify potentially contributing ethnic groups in the…