Using ESSEX History is a three-year project to improve the quality of American History instruction in Essex County's middle schools and high schools through teacher seminars and summer institutes on the people, places and events of
Essex County, Massachusetts.

Rebecca Nurse Homestead

Field
Resources

Explore early settlement, maritime and industrial sites in Essex County.



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Jan Maetzliger

Lesson
Plans

Developed by teachers using primary and field resources available here and throughout Essex County.

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List of Import Tariffs from 19th Century

Primary
Resources

Documents, online here and available through our partners, for teaching any American History class.

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Seminars and Institutes

Primary Resources


19th Century Immigration

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Although this site focuses on the Irish experience in Philadelphia, it provides links to nativist political cartoons and texts that can be used in any classroom.

Information Wanted
Searchable database of advertisements for Irish immigrants published in the Pilot.

Geneaolgy Notes: A Gold Mine of Naturalization Records in New England
Walter Hickey describes the unique set of circumstances that caused copies of naturalization documents from all over New England to be saved in the National Archives. These documents provide a wealth of information for researchers and genealogists.

No Irish Need Apply: A Myth of Victimization
This article by Richard Jensen, Retired Professor of History, University of Illinois, Chicago, questions one of the traditional narratives of Irish discrimination by arguing that the "No Irish Need Apply" signs never existed.

Images

Images of 19th century nativist political cartoons




Using ESSEX History Themes

Using ESSEX History will address four core themes in American history. These four themes are listed below. Teachers will find materials that relate to specific topics linked to the appropriate heading. Any subjects that relate to more than one theme will be linked to all of the appropriate headings.