SAA Dictionary: archival silence
n. a gap in the historical record resulting from the unintentional or purposeful absence or distortion of documentation
Primary Sources
TeachArchives.org
Based on an award-winning project at Brooklyn Historical Society, TeachArchives.org shares our teaching philosophy and findings with a global audience of instructors, administrators, librarians, archivists, and museum educators. Use this site to teach students ranging from middle school to graduate school.
Ethically Teaching Primary Sources that Reflect Histories of Violence, Hate, and Oppression
Because teaching with primary sources that reflect difficult and violent histories can be demanding for both students and instructors, we take a more holistic approach to ethically teaching primary sources. The suggestions are student-centered and include a reflection component for special collections and archival instructors. Do consider the preparation time required and intellectual/emotional labor, as well as the breadth of your holdings, and then select the suggestions that suit your individual needs and instruction session best.
Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy
One page version of the SAA Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy
Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy | Society of American Archivists
These guidelines articulate the range of knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively use primary sources. While the primary audience for this document is librarians, archivists, teaching faculty, and others working with college and university students, the guidelines have been written to be sufficiently flexible for use in K-12 and in general public settings as well. The guidelines articulate crucial skills for navigating the complexity of primary sources and codify best practices for utilizing these materials.
Teaching with Primary Sources Collective
The Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Collective is an online hub that brings together resources, professional development and support for those who teach with primary sources, including librarians, archivists, teachers, cultural heritage professionals, and anyone who has an interest in using primary sources in an educational setting. (primary audience is university level)
Digital Collections | Nashville Public Library
Explore photographs, postcards, maps, manuscript documents, and oral history clips from the Special Collections Division, Metro Archives, and more.
Educational Resources | Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Includes: Virtual experiences, including one that takes you inside the Statue of Liberty for an unprecedented look at her history, construction, and views of NY Harbor; Tips for using the Passenger Search database to discover your family’s connection to Ellis Island; Videos vignettes exploring the Ellis Island immigrant experience; and links to recommended webinars, activities, crafts, and educational materials
71 Digital Portals to State History | The Signal
from 2013, but a starting point at least
The Everett D. Graff Collection of Western Americana
Explore more than 130,000 digitized images from the Newberry’s renowned Graff collection, documenting America’s westward expansion. Topics covered include narratives from explorers, pioneers, hunters, traders, and prospectors; accounts of the Mormon treks of 1846 and 1849, the California gold rush, and overland travel during the 19th century; the development of transcontinental railroads; the growth of Western city and town life; and the history and culture of Native Americans.
Discovering American Women's History Online - Middle Tennessee State University Digital Collections
This database provides access to digital collections of primary sources (photos, letters, diaries, artifacts, etc.) that document the history of women in the United States. The database offers the following features: Detailed descriptions and links to more than 700 digital collections Quick access to basic and advanced searches on every page Options for browsing by subject (300+ entries), place, time period, and primary source type Options for narrowing search results by subject, time period, place, and primary source type An interactive map links more than 500 locations (towns, schools, buildings) with relevant online primary sources.
Making of America
Collections on JSTOR
JSTOR is a digital library of academic journals, books, and primary sources.
HathiTrust Digital Library | Millions of books online
State Digital Resources (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress)
State Digital Resources(Virtual Services and Programs, Digital Reference Section, Library of Congress)
Papers Of Abraham Lincoln
The Papers of Abraham Lincoln is a documentary editing project dedicated to identifying, imaging, transcribing, annotating, and publishing online all documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime (1809-1865).
Home - Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
EuroDocs
Documenting the American South homepage
Cold War International History Project | Wilson Center
The Cold War International History Project supports the full and prompt release of historical materials by governments on all sides of the Cold War. Through an award winning Digital Archive, the Project allows scholars, journalists, students, and the interested public to reassess the Cold War and its many contemporary legacies. It is part of the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program.
Civil Rights Digital Library
The Civil Rights Digital Library is a GALILEO initiative based at the University of Georgia Libraries that collaborates with Georgia's Libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions of education and culture to provide access to key information resources on Georgia history, culture, and life.
Teachers (U.S. National Park Service)
Digital Public Library of America
DPLA works with a national network of partners to make millions of materials from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions across the country available to all in a one-stop discovery experience.
nhdarchives [licensed for non-commercial use only] / Using Primary Sources
National History Day resources on Using Primary Sources. Includes a few websites with examples on how to use them.
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Discover, Create, Share
free, interactive platform for discovering millions of authentic digital resources, creating content with online tools, and sharing in the Smithsonian's expansive community of knowledge and learning.
DocsTeach
website from the National Archives about teaching with historic documents
Our Documents - Home
The primary source documents on this page highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history or government. They are some of the most-viewed and sought-out documents in the holdings of the National Archives.
The Holocaust: A Learning Site for Students | The Holocaust Encyclopedia
an overview of the Holocaust through historical photographs, maps, images of artifacts, and testimony clips. It is a resource for middle and secondary level students and teachers, with content that reflects the history as it is presented in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Permanent Exhibition.
Teaching with Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)
teaching tools and lesson plans to help educators engage young people with powerful stories representing America’s diverse history. Historic places in National Parks and in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places enliven history, social studies, geography, civics, and other subjects.
Primary Sources - Walker Library at Middle Tennessee State University
links to a variety of places where you can find primary sources on the web