Education News for August 2021

Fort Loudoun on the Tanasee River Projected and Constructed by de Brahm

This primary source is a black-and-white photographic plate that presents cartographer and engineer William Gerard de Brahm's plan for Fort Loudoun, along with a profile (the elevation or ground-level view) of the completed structure as he envisioned it. 
Fort Loudoun was an early colonial fort located on the banks of the Little Tennessee River near the Cherokee capital of "Chota" in present-day Monroe County, TN. Constructed in 1756-57 during the French and Indian War, the fort was intended to be a self-sufficient military outpost for the British on the western frontier. It was named in honor of John Campbell, the Earl of Loudoun and commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America at the time of the fort's construction.
In March 1760, the Cherokee laid siege to the fort cutting off outside supplies. In the summer of 1760, the British garrison abandoned the fort and attempted to go to South Carolina. The Cherokee attacked, killing the soldiers and taking the fort. Three officers, 23 soldiers and three women were killed. The garrison and fort were lost but had served their original mission of keeping the Cherokees from supporting the French cause in the early years of the war.  
This source meets the 4.03 and 8.13 Tennessee social studies standards.
Discussion Questions: 
  1. What were the causes and consequences of the French and Indian War?
  2. What was Fort Loudoun's role in the French and Indian War?
  3. Who attacked Fort Loudoun and why?
  4. What were the long-term effects of the attack on Fort Loudoun?
For more primary sources on Fort Loudoun, be sure to visit our website.

DocsBox Reservations

DocsBox reservations are open, and we are excited that teachers can bring our collection to their classrooms once again! Reservations are open to educators in all 95 counties. DocsBoxes are educational resources that provide hands-on original and reproduction materials and historical primary sources that supplement the Tennessee social studies curriculum standards. Topics include the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Civil Rights and more. Each DocsBox includes creative lesson plans created by current classroom teachers and all the materials needed. Several new DocsBoxes have been added.
To reserve a DocsBox:
  • Select the DocsBox you would like to reserve
  • View the appropriate DocsBox calendar for availability
  • Fill out the contact form for the specific DocsBox with an open availability
  • Wait for confirmation from education staff
Questions? Email us at DocsBox.tsla@tn.gov

Stories from the 16th State: Creating Classroom Engagement with Local History

We are excited to announce that the Library & Archives will return to offering a teacher workshop series for the 2021-2022 school year! Stories from the 16th State: Creating Classroom Engagement with Local History will feature activities and primary sources that correspond to the Tennessee Social Studies Standards. Dates and registration information will be announced later this month.  

Discover Tennessee History Webinar Series

Discover Tennessee History will offer a seven-part webinar series for the 2021-2022 school year.  Each month one of the Discover Tennessee partner organizations will offer a one-hour session exploring topics in Tennessee history with related primary sources and educational resources you can use with your students.
Click here for details and to register for any of the seven 2021-2022 webinars, including the first session presented by Tennessee History Day on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. 

Tennessee State Library & Archives Educator Working Group

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in your community? Do you enjoy making history fun for your students? If so, please consider the following opportunity.

The Education team at the Tennessee State Library & Archives is filling an open spot on the  Educator Working Group. This group collaborates with the education team to develop curriculum materials and other activities based on our collection of primary sources. Members of the working group receive a stipend. To learn more, visit our website.

Tennessee Council for History Education Conference  

The 15th Tennessee Council for History Education (TNCHE) Conference will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Carole Bucy, noted professor of history at Volunteer State Community College.

KEYNOTE:  Achieving the Dream and the Reality of Partisan Politics:  Tennessee Women After Ratification

The conference fee includes registration, keynote and breakout sessions, lunch and membership to TNCHE and NCHE.


Click here
for more information and to register for the TNCHE Conference.

Tennessee State Library & Archives


The new Tennessee State Library & Archives is located on the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park at the intersection of Rep. John Lewis Way N. and Jefferson Street across from the Tennessee State Museum and the Nashville Farmers' Market.

Operating Hours:  The Exhibit Lobby is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. The Library, Microfilm, and Manuscripts Reading Room are open to researchers Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. 

Are you interested in bringing students to the Library & Archives for a field trip? Email us at fieldtrips.tsla@tn.gov



Second Saturday at the Library & Archives


Guided tours of the new building are available on the second Saturday of each month through October. Tours begin every hour, on the hour, starting at 10 a.m. with the last tour beginning at 3 p.m. Guided tours are free to the public. Reservations are not required.
Our mission is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness and accountability in a customer-centered environment.
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