Painless: A Survival Guide to the "Dreaded" History Project

Using the broad theme of “Rights and Responsibilities” as a springboard, you’ll explore how to approach primary source research in special libraries and archives, the Massachusetts Historical Society & the National Archives, through a range of historical documents, including letters, diaries, songs, petitions, and government records.

You’ll collect evidence, analyze information, draw conclusions, assemble your findings into an historical narrative, and design a history project as a paper, website, exhibit, documentary, or performance.

By applying National History Day methodologies, the “dreaded” history project is transformed into the creation of imaginative, engaging, and meaningful history experiences. Representatives from Massachusetts History Day will share how the program works.

This free workshop is open to students, teachers, librarians, and archivists. Lunch will be provided. Teachers can earn 10 Professional Development Points.

For more information, or to register, please contact Kathleen Barker at the Massachusetts Historical Society: education@masshist.org or (617) 646-0557.

This workshop is presented by the Massachusetts Historical Society and the National Archives at Boston in collaboration with Massachusetts History Day.