For Teachers
- Contact our Teacher Liaison at jean.nudd@nara.gov
Free Curriculum CD-ROMs now available
We are an active supporter of education initiatives throughout New England, with special emphasis on assisting teachers in the use of primary source documents in the classroom. Our primary goal in the area of education is to make every student in New England aware of the National Archives and Records Administration before they graduate from high school. We also offer classes for college and university students.
From judging National History Contests; from linking each New England States' US History curriculum standards to primary source documents in NARA's holdings, to visiting classrooms (and hosting classroom visits), read further to learn more about our ambitious programs.
Teachers' PDP Workshops (FREE)
Documents and US History Standards
Have You Heard of National History Day?
College and University Professors
Visit Us!
We welcome visits from teachers who want to learn more about what we have to offer. We also welcome teachers who want to bring their whole class along, too! To schedule a class visit, please contact the Teacher Liaison at pittsfield.archives@nara.gov or call (413) 236-3604. There is no admission fee or fee to use the National Archives.
In the meantime, here are some things you need to know:
Research Resources Available
- Conference room
- 4 computers with Internet access, with 1 printers
- 1 PC for use with CD-ROM indices
- 31 microfilm readers
- 3 microfilm reader-printers
- 1 photocopier
- More than 72,000 rolls of microfilm, covering the entire United States
Photocopying
- Paper copies from microfilm can be made at self-service copiers for $.30 per page
- A regular self-service copier is available for $.15 per page for non-archival materials
- Arrangements can be made with the Education Coordinator before the class visit to discuss handling copying fees for large groups
Details, Details, Details
- The National Archives building is handicapped accessible.
- ADA microfilm readers and internet access computers are available.
- There are rest rooms on site, and a small lunchroom with a soda machine.
- Snacks can be purchased in the bookstore.
- A number of family style and fast food restaurants are located within a 5-10 minute drive of the facility.
- Ample parking is available for buses.
Teachers' PDP Workshops
We are proud to present FREE workshops to teachers and to be able to provide 20 Professional Development Points (PDPs). Non-teachers are also welcome at these workshops, so bring a friend!
The name of our PDP program is "Using Historical Documents at the National Archives". Participants will learn how to conduct research in an archive and will be able to assist their students with these skills. Participants will also learn what sort of information is found in various Federal records and how to access that information.
The course consists of ten 2-hour workshops (20 hours total). Teachers must take "Application of Research Methods" and any 9 of the other 2-hour workshops in order to earn the 20 PDPs. The "Application of Research Methods" workshop may be taken at anytime after at least 2 other teacher workshops have been completed.
Topics will vary throughout the year with each offering, but include Archival Research, Records Relating to African-American Research, Custom House Records of New England, Immigration & Naturalization, Census Records, Local History in Federal Records, and Application of Research Methods.
See our Teachers' PDP Workshop Schedule and our Teachers' PDP Workshops Topics, or contact us at pittsfield.archives@nara.gov or on (413) 236-3600 to find out when the next PDP course will be offered.
Documents and US History Standards
Each New England state has US History Curriculum Standards that teachers are
required to adhere to. Teachers are strongly encouraged to use
primary source documents in teaching this curriculum.
We are in the process of linking these standards to the most famous
100 documents in the National Archives across the country, and will
provide access to downloadable and printable versions of the documents
(with their proper citations) for teachers to use in the classroom, FREE.
In the meantime, download your free copy of
Our Documents.
Classroom Programs
Many workshops are appropriate for students in grades 5-12. National Archives staff can visit your classroom or we can arrange for your class to visit us. Or both! Contact us at pittsfield.archives@nara.gov or (413) 236-3604.
Have You Heard of National History Day?
National History Day is a nationwide history competition for students in grades 6-12. Each state holds contests to determine which students will compete in the finals, held at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. Often, a teacher can combine their regularly scheduled lesson plans with the contest.
We help judge student contests in each New England state. Additionally, we award certificates for "Best Use of Primary Sources" in each contest. Other organizations also offer, including cash awards.
Learn more about National History Day at http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/.
College and University Professors
We welcome visits from professors who want to learn more about what resources we have to offer. We welcome professors who bring their whole class along, too. National Archives staff can also visit your classroom.
Our college and university programs include instruction in how to conduct research in an archive, as well as what sort of information is found in various Federal records and how to access that information, covering a variety of historical subjects.
If you want to request a topic which isn't listed on our
Workshop Topics page,
or to schedule a class visit, please contact the Teacher Liaison
at pittsfield.archives@nara.gov or (413) 236-3604.
There are no admission or speaker fees.
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More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.
