The Library of Congress

Exploration Home

Grand Canyon Explorations
in
American Environmental History

The Photographer, the Artist,
and Yellowstone Park

Using three American Memory collections, students recognize the impact photographer William Henry Jackson and artist Thomas Moran had on the creation of Yellowstone National Park. As members of the 1871 Hayden Expedition, Jackson's and Moran's images helped to shape Americans' ideas of the West. Students compare the photographic images with the paintings that resulted. They explore the legislative records and historical mapping of the area and produce an essay describing how Jackson's and Moran's artistic talents contributed to the creation of the American West.

Objectives

 Students will improve skills in:
  • Visual literacy.
  • Navigating and selecting specific online images.
  • Using the Socratic method of inquiry to discuss how images played an important role in the creation of the national parks and American's ideas of the West.
  • Writing a short essay using complete citations.

Time Required

 One 90-minute or two 50-minute class periods.

Recommended Grade Level

 8 – 12

Curriculum Fit

 American literature, environmental history, American history, western/Montana history, American studies.

Standards

McREL 4th Edition Standards & Benchmarks

Geography
Standard 1. Understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies
Standard 4. Understands the physical and human characteristics of place
Standard 17. Understands how geography is used to interpret the past
Standard 18. Understands global development and environmental issues

Historical Understanding
Standard 2. Understands the historical perspective

Language Arts
Standard 4. Gathers and uses information for research purposes
Standard 6. Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of literary texts
Standard 7. Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts
Standard 9. Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media

Resources Used

Materials and Preparation: Worksheets

Procedure

  1. Display a large poster or on-line image of a Thomas Moran painting. For examples, see Thomas Moran paintings in The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920.

  2. Using Object Observation, a critical viewing exercise, discuss with students the various images and impressions that emerge related to the Western experience and the Moran image.

  3. Explain to students that Yellowstone Park was created as a result of the artistic images sent to Congress after the V. Hayden Geological Expedition.

  4. Invite students to particpate in a 'voyage of discovery' as they work within the American Memory Collections to discover the impact of William Henry Jackson and Thomas Moran.

  5. Students then move through each of the worksheets as they examine the various American Memory collections. The essay assignment may be completed in class the following class period or sent home as an homework assignment.

  6. Read the essays aloud in class and write the themes that emerge as a result of the essay ideas.
    These may include:

  7. If students wish to pursue further study, refer them to the bibliography in the Full Lesson.

Top of Page | Lesson Introduction


The Library of Congress | American Memory Contact us
Last updated 09/26/2002