• Independence Hall: International Symbol of Freedom
Learn about Independence Hall and how the international influence of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution led to its designation as a World Heritage Site. Have students discuss the criteria for World Heritage Sites and debate the importance of designating and protecting resources of “outstanding universal value.” Also research government buildings in your own community to locate those listed on the National Register of Historic Places and determine if the documentation is thorough and up to date.(Pennsylvania)

• Johnson Lake Mine: Mining for Tungsten in Nevada’s Snake Range
Explore both mining at the turn of the 20th century and how archeologists piece together the past using artifacts and other archeological evidence. Debate the pros and cons of restricting access to archeological sites to protect them versus expanding public access for the purpose of education and increasing public support for these sites. (Nevada)

• Log Cabins in America: The Finnish Experience
Consider how simple, functional cabins, like those built by the Finns in Idaho, became symbols in American politics and folklore. Also understand why it was important to list them on the National Register of Historic Places. (Idaho)

• Mammoth Cave: Its Explorers, Miners, Archeologists, and Visitors
Tour the world's longest cave, a geological wonder, and assess the ways it has been used and preserved as a historic resource. Also identify a site in your community, one that ought to be preserved, but is not yet protected, and devise a conservation plan for that site. (Kentucky)

• Mechanics Hall: Symbol of Pride and Industry
Examine how the advent of industrialization in 19th-century America impacted the workforce in New England's Blackstone River Valley. Also compile a list of historic structures in your community, research their history, and volunteer as a docent at one of the sites. (Massachusetts)

• Mount Auburn Cemetery: A New American Landscape
Explore the country's first large-scale designed landscape open to the public that spawned the development of other rural cemeteries, public parks, and designed suburbs. Visit a local landscape, either a cemetery or park, to perform a clean up or preservation project at the site. (Massachusetts)  

• A Nation Repays Its Debt: The National Soldiers' Home and Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio
Explore the evolving system of honor and care for United States veterans in National Cemeteries. In your own community, locate and visit war memorials in order to identify the changing processes of memorialization. If the memorials students identify necessitate conservation, have them draft letters to the city or local historical society for help preserving the memorials. (Ohio)

• The Old Courthouse in St. Louis: Yesterday and Today
Compare historic events that took place at St. Louis's handsome Courthouse. Also identify older public buildings in your community and research their purposes and usage over time, and learn how preservationists determine what should and should not be preserved. (Missouri)

• Paterson, New Jersey: America's Silk City
Learn about the causes and effects of a famous silk industry strike and how it affected those who were involved. In groups, research your community to determine important industries in history. Identify the remaining buildings that were associated with early industries, what effect they had on the community, and how they are being used today. (New Jersey)

• The Penniman House: A Whaling Story
Learn about 19th century whaling and the whaling industry’s impact on an ordinary family in southeastern Massachusetts and identify what industries or businesses were important to the development of your area. Work in teams to locate homes of leaders in that industry or of other local leaders, research their importance and what their homes reveal about them, and work with other teams to create a local history display. (Massachusetts)

• Roadside Attractions
Follow the highways of the 1920s and 1930s, exploring the whimsical, extravagant architecture that came with American auto culture. Also investigate the ways in which automobiles changed your community, and find an example of fanciful, vernacular architecture and research what is being done to preserve it. (Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington)

• "The Rocket's Red Glare": Francis Scott Key and the Bombardment of Fort McHenry
Learn how the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore led to the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and how Key’s song became a powerful symbol for Americans.  Search out places that help create your community’s identity and create a walking tour to help visitors and newcomers understand what makes your town special. (Maryland) Learn how a classroom teacher uses this lesson.

• Run For Your Lives! The Johnstown Flood of 1889
Determine how environmental management, technology, and the actions of 19th-century industrialists contributed to a disaster in Pennsylvania that shocked the nation. Also understand why a community spent funds to restore a railway built to save lives. (Pennsylvania)

• Savannah, Georgia: The Lasting Legacy of Colonial City Planning
Learn about James Oglethorpe and his enduring city plan from the colonial era. Also debate whether your town's historic area could be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. (Georgia)

• The Siege and Battle of Corinth: A New Kind of War
Understand how newly developed transportation technologies affected two military engagements and one tiny town in Mississippi during the Civil War. Investigate the history of transportation in your community, the relationship of local routes--road, rail, water, and air--with larger trransportation systems, and changes over time. Identify existing places associated with the history of transportation and whether they are still used for the same purpose. Create an exhibit for display in the school or community. (Mississippi)

• Skagway: Gateway to the Klondike
Join the stampede for gold when over 100,000 prospectors set out for the Klondike, and develop a promotional brochure or walking tour from histories of buildings that illustrate your community's development. (Alaska)

• Springwood: Birthplace and Home to Franklin D. Roosevelt
Understand how Springwood was the keystone in Franklin Delano Roosevelt's public as well as private life by playing host to some very dramatic events in American history. Also research a local WPA project in your local community. (New York)

• Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site: Birthplace of the Modern Presidency
Examine how Theodore Roosevelt became President of the United States and how he modernized the presidency. Also make a time line with information about a historic structure in your area at various times in its history, including important events that occurred in the United States during that same time. Donate the completed project to the local historical society so others may benefit from your research. (New York)

• Two American Entrepreneurs: Madam C.J. Walker and J.C. Penney
Examine the historic places associated with two of America's most famous 20th century business people. Also research successful local businesses in your community, and understand the importance of preserving buildings as part of a community's history. (Indiana and Wyoming)

• Waterford, Virginia: From Mill Town to National Historic Landmark
Examine continuity and change over time in this rural Virginia town from its founding to today. Compare the time periods to identify the historic elements remaining in the town and begin a discussion about the town’s efforts with historic preservation. Also, research and write a history of your town or neighborhood distinguishing historic buildings and their current use within the community. (Virginia)

  To learn more about TwHP's other lessons, visit the Lesson Plan Descriptions page.