Teaching Hidden Histories

The history of African American’s experiences in Essex County, MA, including enslavement, “gradual emancipation,” and hard-fought access to fundamental rights, offers a rich set of stories for our students to explore. In this workshop, we will examine how these experiences exemplify perseverance and change. In uncovering some of these stories, we will explore how and why this history has often been hidden from view or distorted to fit more comfortable narratives, discussing implications for our students in today’s world.

This session explored many questions about this history and its relevance today, including:

• What are some exemplary stories of African American’s experiences in our region that highlight broader themes and the fight for access?

• How can primary sources from the region’s past as well as contemporary voices in the local African American community inform our understanding of how to approach this topic with our students?

Teaching Hidden Histories examines:

• How do examples of groups' experiences in Essex County, Massachusetts illuminate how some histories have been "hidden" within our larger American story?

• How can we help students connect with this history, keeping their voices and ideas at the forefront of our teaching?

• How do we allow for meaningful discussion about complex issues surrounding what it means to be "American," especially through a local lens that will hit close to home? 

This program was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.