Discussion of the urgent need to provide teachers with the tools necessary to effectively teach the American Civil War is hardly new.  The study of history is at risk and with it invaluable reading, writing, and problem solving skills.  As part of our mission, the Civil War Preservation Trust strives to expand knowledge and appreciation of our rich American Civil War history.  It is essential for our organization and society that we foster the study of history in order for the development of future scholars, historians, and preservationists.

For these reasons, and in partnership with Virginia Tech’s Center for Civil War Studies, we are proud to offer the ninth annual CWPT Teacher Institute, a highly acclaimed, free professional development that focuses on the American Civil War.

This year’s program will be held July 16–18, 2010 in Hagerstown, Md., when teachers will partake in lectures, workshops, discussions and battlefield tours. Through this experience, teachers will gain a greater knowledge of the Civil War and acquire new methods and techniques for passing that knowledge on to students.

The CWPT Teacher Institute is an intensive three-day experience that prepares teachers to deliver thoughtful, engaging instruction.  Teachers will attend their choice of nine workshops presented by teachers, education professionals and historians.  The workshops will provide teachers with a deeper understanding of the complex content of the Civil War while presenting the latest techniques for history instruction.

Teachers will take part in lectures presented by three world renowned authors and historians: James “Bud” Robertson, Gary Gallagher, and Jeff Shaara.  Attending teachers will also take part in a panel discussion on Using Technology to Teach the Civil War. The panel will bring together popular blog authors: Jim Beeghley, Kevin Levin, Eric Miller,, and Rob Shenk, director of web development at CWPT.

This year’s excursion will focus on Gettysburg National Military Park, allowing all attendees to tour the new museum and visitor center, with its exhibits and multimedia presentations, view the newly restored Cyclorama, and tour the National Cemetery where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.  In addition, teachers will attend their choice of three battlefield tours: Little Round Top with National Park Service  Ranger, Scott Hartwig, Pickett’s Charge with National Park Service Ranger, Matt Atkinson, and Then and Now Photography with historian Garry Adelman.

The Teacher Institute is offered free of charge to teachers, but they or their school districts must pay for lodging and transportation to the event. Through the generosity of several CWPT Trustees and independent donors, we are able to offer scholarships to help defray the costs of attendance for selected educators. The support of our partners is essential to carrying out CWPT’s mission; we thank our trustees and members for their commitment to education.

Register for the Teacher Institute »