This post is by Jen Reidel, the 2019-2020 Library of Congress Teacher in Residence.
Humans naturally interpret the world through stories. Narratives have the power to challenge, inspire, and motivate us to action. Primary sources are key components for sharing stories about our history and our priorities, and often reveal clues into our future. Artifacts offer students the unique ability to gain personal insights into the lives of ordinary individuals who took extraordinary action and find connections between students’ contemporary experiences and the past.
Many traditional historical narratives characterize historical figures as larger than life individuals who never doubted, struggled, or failed in their endeavors. Rosa Parks is often presented as the tired seamstress who one day decided to rise up against Jim Cro