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Vivandieres: Women on the Front Lines of the Civil War
When people study the American Civil War, they often focus on soldiers, generals, and major battles. This focus leaves out a group of individuals who played a direct and practical role in army life. Among them were the vivandieres, women who lived and worked with...
Brewing History: Teaching About Civil War Coffee
As social studies educators, we often look for ways to make history relatable to our students. One such way is by exploring the everyday lives of people from the past, connecting their experiences to the present. Just as many of us start our day with a cup of coffee,...
The 3 Inch Ordnance Rifle – Civil War Artillery
If the 12-pounder Model 1857 Napoleon Gun-Howitzer was the premier smoothbore artillery piece used during the American Civil War, the 3" Ordnance Rifle was the most widely used rifled artillery piece. Another common rifled piece was the 10-pound Parrott Rifle. It can...
Civil War Cartoon Time Travelers Classroom Project
Cartoon Time Travelers: Bringing the Civil War to Life with AI and Imagination Teaching the American Civil War can be a powerful experience—but for younger learners especially, the names and events can sometimes feel distant or abstract. What if we could make history...
Teaching the Battle of Antietam with Math: Burnside’s Bridge in the Classroom
Middle school students often enjoy lessons that combine history with practical problem-solving. The Battle of Antietam offers one such opportunity. By focusing on Burnside’s Bridge, teachers can connect social studies with mathematics in ways that promote both...
How the Civil War Turned the US Capitol into a Bakery
Bread for an Army: The Capitol Bakery During the Civil War When the Civil War began in April 1861, Washington, D.C., was suddenly overwhelmed. President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to defend the Union, and within days thousands of soldiers from...
Necco Wafers: A Sweet Connection to Civil War History
Have you ever wondered how a simple candy can be tied to history? Recently, my daughter surprised me with a pack of NECCO wafers, and it got me thinking about their fascinating past, including their connection to the Civil War! In 1847, English immigrant Oliver Chase...
The 54th Massachusetts Monument
Honoring Heroes: The 54th Massachusetts and the Monument That Tells Their Story If you ever visit Boston, you might see a beautiful bronze monument right across from the Massachusetts State House. It shows rows of determined soldiers marching off to war, led by a...