Important constructions of identity can occur in unique places that provide an opportunity for exploration (Fantus, 2013). In the present study, we explored the experiences of gay men living in or visiting Provincetown, Massachusetts. Provincetown is a town in America with a large gay population and with an important history related to freedom and…

The mysteries of the deep aren't always unsolvable. The students of Natick (Massachusetts) High School's robotics club and robotics courses took on a project that resulted in their locating and remotely exploring a barge that sank in Newfound Lake in New Hampshire, likely in the early 1900s. They did it by designing, building, and operating three…

What could two dozen middle school students, two teachers, land surveyors, journalists, divers, college professors, lawyers, archaeologists, an author, and an 85-year old retiree possibly have in common? The answer is their insatiable quest to redefine colonial American history. From geodesy to glaciology, from geology to hydrology, from…

The Federal Writers' Project was an arm of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Franklin Delano Roosevelt's massive program to put the unemployed back to work. The Writers' Project was charged with producing an extensive guidebook for each of the 48 states; and more than 6,000 local newspaper writers, novelists, poets, college professors, and…

Nineteenth-century Canadian economic problems caused French-Canadians to migrate southward. Many came to Fall River, Massachusetts, where they found employment in the cotton mills. A cultural minority, the Canadians sought to preserve their ethnic identity as a shield against critics disturbed by their acceptance of injustices in cotton mill…

A Quest is a treasure hunt-style poem in which the writers lead the visitor to special places on the property. The poems have movement clues to take the visitor from place to place and educational clues that teach about aspects of each property. The writing experience allows students to research unique features of a local property, demonstrate…

The origins of public support for libraries in Massachusetts during the early to mid 1800's is discussed. Records indicate that the origins of the public library movement stem from a public feeling of need rather than elitism, philanthropy, or preservation of the status quo. (JPF)

Describes a design of a combined middle/high school that preserved the industrial mills and farming history of two rural Massachusetts towns. Describes each school's separate entries and "identity" spaces and the design innovations that have successfully grouped grades 6 through 8 with grades 9 through 12. (GR)

Discusses the foundation of Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts, in 1948 by the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic religious community. Addresses the events over thirteen years leading up to the founding of the college, such as the foundation of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1935 in North Easton. (CMK)

Describes a historical approach to English that concentrates on early American literature and historical fiction culminating in a writing project based on incidents taken from local history. (Author/RK)

Describes a local history project designed for ninth-grade students, in which students use primary historical sources to research local history, and the resulting conflict between access to rare documents versus preservation of those materials. The major microfilming project that was undertaken to resolve this conflict is outlined. (CLB)

Old Sturbridge in central Massachusetts, a recreated New England Village of the period 1790-1840, is a museum of the past which includes a learning center with reproductions of artifacts used in the period, with demonstration areas, and a teacher center where resource materials for class use are available. (MF)

Case study of redevelopment of the village of Farnumville in Grafton, Massachusetts, illustrates the potential of historic preservation and heritage tourism as a tool for economic development. Describes the mill village cultural landscape and the importance of citizen and business participation to the process. Presents building and streetscape…

Describes a professional development project called the Learning Network, launched in 1998. The Learning Network can serve as a model for the integration of technology with interdisciplinary curriculum development and for the creation of a virtual museum. Discusses how the Learning Network incorporates the Massachusetts's learning standards. (CMK)

Three articles relate public library services in different areas: Project ASIA, cooperative venture of California public libraries to better meet reading and information needs of Asian community; extension services (additional stations, bookmobile) instituted by Bedford (Virginia) Public Library; and preservation of and access to local history…