Teach with Biography

Teaching with Biography at Mount Vernon

Teaching History the Old Fashioned Way- Through Biography. American Historical Association.

Teaching with Biographies. Indiana Historical Society.

Using Biography to Teach AP History. College Board.

10 Facts about Martha Washington

Illustrated article with facts about Martha Washington's life.

Chintz Room Crib

Video (2:22 minutes) discussing the crib with a family history of belonging to Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis.

Continental Army Digital Encyclopedia Entry

Article describing Washington's challenge creating an army from a diverse group of citizens with little military experience.

Eleanore "Nelly" Parke Custis Digital Encyclopedia Article

Article discussing the life of Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis, the Washingtons' granddaughter.

Enslaved People at Mount Vernon

Profiles of 18 individuals enslaved at Mount Vernon based on research from George Washington's records.

Establishing the Presidency

A lesson plan facilitating discussion with students about the challenges that George Washington faced as the first president of the United States.

George Washington and Slavery Digital Encyclopedia Article

Article discussing slavery and George Washington.

George Washington and the Founding of the U.S. Government

Teacher Resource page featuring select primary and secondary sources, classroom materials, and essentials questions for teaching the Founding of the U.S. Government.

George Washington at War

Teacher Resource page featuring select primary and secondary sources, classroom materials, and essentials questions for teaching the American Revolution.

George Washington's List of Enslaved People, 1799 Lesson

Lesson plan using George Washington's list of enslaved people from 1799 to examine his role as a businessman and slave owner and to provide information about the institution of slavery in the 18th century.

George Washington, Entrepreneur

Teacher Resource page featuring select primary and secondary sources, classroom materials, and essentials questions for teaching about the business of Mount Vernon.

Ice Cream at Mount Vernon

An inquiry based module that asks students to answer a why ice cream was an exclusive treat at Mount Vernon by exploring three Supporting Questions and analyzing primary and secondary sources.

Integrating Women's History in the Founding Era

A series of lesson plans that uses Martha Washington as a case study to integrate women's history into the events of the American Revolution and the New Nation historical eras.

Introduction to the Chintz Room

Video (3:59 minutes) discussing a stylish bedroom at Mount Vernon where Eleanore "Nelly" Parke Custis may have occupied in 1799.

Leadership and Legacy

Teacher Resource page featuring select primary and secondary sources, classroom materials, and essentials questions for teaching George Washington's Leadership and Legacy.

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Video (7:18 minutes) exploring the personal stories, experiences and struggles of people enslaved at Mount Vernon, as well as insight into George Washington's evolving opposition to slavery.

Martha at the Front

Article describing Martha Washington's role and experiences accompanying George Washington to the front during the Revolutionary War.

Martha Washington and Slavery

Article discussing Martha Washington and slavery at Mount Vernon.

Martha Washington and the Women of the 18th Century

Teacher Resource page featuring select primary and secondary sources, classroom materials, and essentials questions for teaching about women in the 18th century.

Meet People from the Past: William Lee

A series of short videos by a character interpreter covering topics about Washington's enslaved valet William Lee.

Nelly Custis and Her Mount Vernon Bedchamber

Video (2:56 minutes) discussing Nelly Custis' bedchamber.

Nelly Custis Artifacts in the Mount Vernon Collection

Article highlighting objects in the Mount Vernon collection relating to Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis.

Oney Judge Digital Encyclopedia Article

Article discussing Oney Judge, an enslaved woman at Mount Vernon.

Slammin' Joe on Slavery

Slammin' Joe, one of Washington's slaves, describes the slave experience at Mount Vernon.

Slave Resistance Digital Encyclopedia Entry

Article discussing slave resistance at Mount Vernon.

Slave Women and Resistance at Mount Vernon

Article on the ways that slave women could resist within the confines of their enslaved status.

Slavery at Mount Vernon

Video (3:01 minutes) discussing slavery at Mount Vernon.

Slavery in George Washington's World

Teacher Resource page featuring select primary and secondary sources, classroom materials, and essentials questions for teaching slavery.

Status of Slaves in Washington's Will Digital Encyclopedia Article

Article discussing the status of enslaved people in George Washingon's will.

The Chintz Room

Mount Vernon web page exploring the Chintz Room, possibly used as Nelly Custis' bedchamber.

The Constitutional Convention Through Biography

A lesson plan outlining a role-playing activity intended to help students better understand the perspectives of individual delegates at the critical point when they were debating representation at the Constitutional Convention.

The First First Lady

Article about how Martha Washington set the tone for future first ladies.

The Style of Martha Washington Digital Encyclopedia Entry

Article discussing Martha Washington's style.

Tracing the History of the Slave Cemetery

Article discussing the cemetery where many enslaved people at Mount Vernon were buried, possibly including Billy Lee.