| I DIG HISTORY IN THE CLASSROOM AND COMMUNITY |
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About the Program
I DIG History publishes a range of material to support teachers in primary, secondary education, academics and researchers and all those who love history. All our past publications and articles are available online to members who have “Walked in History” and we continue to develop a wide range of online resources for members, teachers and students.
The Benjamin Harrison Societies Digging in Grounds (DIG) History program is dedicated to the investigation, interpretation, and better understanding of our heritage, science, geography, history, mapping and archaeology in our nation, and beyond. BHS seeks to engage local and visiting communities while exploring the dynamic story of our nation and the world. American citizens and citizens around the world are interested in archaeology and how scientist reveals what lies in our past and what lays ahead in our future. We have always relied on water for the transportation of people, goods, and ideas, and the sea has provided sustenance and livelihoods for countless generations of maritime communities. Citizens are interested in preserving the history of our harbors, our inland waterways, and proximity to global shipping routes and the role of historical European settlements in the present-day United States.
Marine activities have always shaped the lives of the diverse groups who have lived and traveled here beginning with the historical voyage of Christopher Columbus, the trade and travel of the Native American, free and slaved Africans and African Americans. The prehistoric Native American economy was dependant on fishing and long-distance trade via dugout canoes. Starting in the 16th century, French, Spanish, and English colonists brought new maritime traditions to America, and their governments used ships, coastal forts, and sea power to expand trade and maintain their competitive transatlantic empires. Enslaved Africans were forced to the New World in European ships, but they brought with them memories of a rich maritime past on West African river deltas, and many used the waterways to travel and to prosperity in America. Eighteenth-century ships like the Grand Turk imported goods from around the world prior to America’s first war of independence. Seamans who fought for freedom and are known as patriots of the American Revolution—Aaron Grigsby who was captured by the British and was a prisoners of War and Commodore Joshua Barney who fought for our freedom in the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
BHS scientist, technologist, engineers, curators, conservationist, chemist, botanist, cartographers, and archaeologists aim to identify, investigate, and preserve the physical remains of these and other aspects of our national and world heritage.
BHS manages an active research program, using historical documents and maps land to discover new historical sites, and partnering with government, museums, and organizations to investigate and monitor sites already known. In addition, BHS is dedicated to geography, mathematics, science, technology and maintains a robust program of public outreach and education. This includes ongoing speaking engagements, archaeological excavations, museum exhibits, and training workshops. Volunteers participate at every stage of our operations with lab work, museum exhibits, collections mathematics, science and technology through internships and our DIG History programs.
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PROJECT SUMMARY
Today, I DIG History students and teachers may tour battlegrounds, historical landmarks and places around the world via the I DIG HISTORY webcam without leaving their classroom. They can experience the life of a soldier or piece together the past by examining historic artifacts from the Battle of Bladensburg from their computers in the classroom. Through these various I DIG HISTORY educational programs students will begin to unravel the conflicting interests of Native Americans, European empires, and the desires of a young country. Students across America and the world may take part in historical archeological excavation through the I DIG History Program. I DIG History Student lesson plans and Teacher's guide are available by clicking the I DIG HISTORY icon button. Students will be able to view excavation projects and communicate with the archeologist and other students live via the I DIG History webcam. They will engage in live classroom and on site discussions, ask questions and discuss archeological techniques with archeologist from their classroom. Students will learn about:
1. Historical Places and Sites around the world.
2. GIS and Historical Maps.
3. Share Their Ideas, Thoughts and Memories of wars and policy.
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