A Biography of America
This is the Annenberg/Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) companion web site to the well-known and excellent video series and telecourse on American history.
http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica

American Precision Museum (Windsor, VT)
Preserving the heritage of the mechanical arts and the history of the machine tool industry, both in New England and elsewhere in the country, is Vermont's American Precision Museum (APM). As the repository for the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation, the APM aptly illustrates the importance of precision manufacturing to the development of communication technology, transportation, sanitation, medical care, and just about every aspect of our lives. Visit the online “machine tool hall of fame” to learn about the leading figures in this industry's growth and development.
http://www.americanprecision.org

American Textile History Museum (Lowell, MA)
The wool, cotton, flax, and silk industries of New England and beyond are documented and preserved in the American Textile History Museum's collections of tools, machinery, textiles, and printed and pictorial matter. Educational programs on the region's and the nation's textile industries and conservation resources for textile artifacts are provided.
http://www.athm.org

Charles River Museum of Industry (Waltham, MA)
A great museum that explores the past, present, and future of the Machine Age, studies the history of industry and technology, and seeks to inspire future innovations in science and technology through its educational events and exhibits. Get a taste for the museum's offerings on a virtual reality tour of its first floor.
http://www.crmi.org/

Computer History Museum (Mountain View, CA)
Chronicling the past and ongoing history of the information age is the mission of the Computer History Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of computer-related artifacts, documents and photographs. Delve into the evolution of the Internet, the microprocessor, and computers in general via detailed timelines; wander the museum's on-line Hall of Fellows to meet some of the key contributors to our current state of technology; or search the digitized database of artifacts (most collections will eventually be available on-line). Well worth a virtual visit.
http://www.computerhistory.org

Connecticut Historical Society
A museum, library, and education center, the Connecticut Historical Society is devoted to interpreting and archiving the history of Connecticut and its diverse people. Established in 1825, it is the seventh oldest historical society in the nation and houses one of the most distinghished collections of objects, prints and photographs, art and furniture, textiles and costumes, and toys and tools in New England, as well as abundant volumes and manuscripts and one of the nation's finest genealogical collections. Online exhibits highlight the museum's community outreach efforts and its diverse holdings.
http://www.chs.org

Connecticut History Online
Connecticut History Online is a collaborative project of various entities, including the Connecticut Historical Society and the Connecticut State Library, which affords a view into Connecticut's past through a vast collection of historical images. Scenes from the state's social, business, political, educational, cultural, and civic life, as far back as the early 19th century, unfold with the aid of some 14,000 photographs, drawings, and prints contained in the collection.
http://www.cthistoryonline.org

Diaries of George M. Wadsworth of Franklin, Massachusetts
These diaries, found by Gail Lembo at a yard sale and edited and transcribed by her over a period of six years, offer exceptional insight into everyday life during the 36-year period from 1857 to 1893.
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/general/wadsworth/default.htm

Economic History Network
The Economic History Network (EH.Net) was created to promote and facilitate communication among scholars in economic history and related fields. This site provides electronic discussion lists and hosts the Economic History Services file server, with its multitude of economic and business history resources. Among the educational tools is “How Much Is That?” - a feature that illustrates the comparative value of purchasing power, past and present.
http://www.eh.net

Enterprising Women: 250 Years of American Business
This web site is an extension of a national exhibit about some of the fascinating women who helped shape the landscape of American business over the past few centuries. The trials and triumphs of this diverse group of women inventors, innovators, and trendsetters is told through a “stories quilt,” where you'll find biographies of each. Resources for educators on how to use exhibit content in lessons, games that test historical knowledge and entrepreneurial savvy, and a section where contemporary businesswomen can help today's aspiring entrepreneurs by sharing their own “stories” are among the highlights.
http://www.radcliffe.edu/schles/exhibits/enterprisingwomen/index.html

Funding A Revolution: Government Support for Computing Research (Historical Review)
This online version of the National Academy Press's report titled Funding A Revolution: Government Support for Computing Research examines the fascinating history of computing and the development of communications technology, with a focus on the federal government's prominent role in funding research and helping launch the computer revolution.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6323#toc

Heritage Harbor Museum (Providence, RI)
Still under construction, the new Heritage Harbor Museum and its accompanying web site promise to highlight all the different cultures and communities of Rhode Island and showcase their contributions to the state's history. Slated for a phased opening beginning in December 2005, the museum will be the first New England affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and seeks to act as an interactive living textbook integrated into the school curriculum.
http://www.heritageharbor.org

History Matters
This site was designed for high school and college teachers of U.S. history survey courses. It serves as a gateway to web resources and offers useful materials for teaching U.S. history.
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/

History of the U.S. Postal Service
An interesting and in-depth account of the formation of our country’s earliest communication network that helped bind us together as a nation—the U.S. Postal System. This detailed work, nicely sectioned into chapters and very searchable, is preceded with a useful timeline of significant postal history events.
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub100/welcome.htm?from=postalhistory&page=pub100htmlfile

History of Women's Suffrage (Susan B. Anthony Center)
This page of the Susan B. Anthony Center for Women's Leadership site at the University of Rochester describes succintly the history of women's suffrage. A deeper study of the movement, its champions, and key events leading to the ultimate passage of the 19th amendment can be undertaken through links provided here.
http://www.rochester.edu/SBA/suffragehistory.html

Lemelson-MIT: Invention Dimension
The kid in each of us will appreciate MIT's creative and wacky approach to learning about inventions. Everything from games and trivia, to inventor profiles and resources, to patent guidelines is covered in this fun ,“inventive” site.
http://web.mit.edu/invent/invent-main.html

Library of Congress
With over 126 million items on approximagely 530 miles of bookshelves, the U.S. Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and one of our country's most valuable and complete sources of information on American and world history and culture. Since its establishment in 1800 as a legislative library, it has grown into a national institution committed to serving Congress and the American people and collecting and preserving a universal store of knowledge for future generations.
http://www.loc.gov

Maine Historical Society
Collecting and preserving Maine's past since 1822, the Maine Historical Society offers a substantial compilation of resources for researching the state's and the nation's history and tracing your New England family roots.
http://www.mainehistory.org

Maine Memory Network
Maine's rather unique online museum database, comprising historical documents and images contributed by cultural institutions from around the state. Explore Maine's heritage by viewing digital versions of everything from letters and journals to maps, photographs, paintings, drawings, and video files.
http://www.mainememory.com

Making of America
A collaborative effort of the libraries at Cornell University and the University of Michigan, “Making of America” is a robust digital collection of primary sources in American social history, from the antebellum period through reconstruction. The digitized pages of 19th century books and journals preserved here, such as The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's New Monthly Magazine, and Scientific American, are a marvelous resource on this period for researchers in education, psychology, American history, sociology, religion, and science and technology. (Note: this link is to Cornell's contributions to the project, alone; a link on the “About MOA” page accesses the University of Michigan's contributions.)
http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/

Mass Moments
Launched in January 2005 by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, the Mass Moments project is an almanac of Massachusetts history presented through daily radio spots and this online companion. The story of a different event or person(s) of note in the Bay State's colorful past is read each day on participating radio stations and explored more fully on the Mass Moments web site, where you'll find background, sources, images and illustrations, and related links for each moment.
http://www.massmoments.org

Massachusetts Historical Society
Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) was essentially the first American historical repository and charged itself with the preservation and documentation of our young nation's history. As other historical institutions were established elsewhere, MHS focused its attention specifically on Massachusetts and New England and the many local contributions to our national heritage. MHS is a major research library and manuscript repository and was the first institution of its kind to publish in its field. Click the “On View” tab to explore the society's digital archives, online curriculum, and web exhibitions.
http://www.masshist.org

Museum of American Financial History (New York)
The Museum of American Financial History showcases the history of Wall Street, the economic miracle of the markets, and the achievements of American businessmen and women from Alexander Hamilton's founding designs for a national economy to the rise of "dot com" entrepreneurs and the new "global economy."
http://www.financialhistory.org

Museum of Work and Culture (Woonsocket, RI)
Thet story of French Canadian immigrants who settled in Woonsocket and worked in its factories and mills is depicted in the Museum of Work and Culture's walk-through displays, interactive presentations, and collection of photographs. Focus is placed on the rise of the American working class and the transformation of immigrants to Americans.
http://www.woonsocket.org/workandculture.htm

National Heritage Museum (Lexington, MA)
Founded in 1975 by the Scottish Rite Freemasons, the National Heritage Museum celebrates freedom, history, and culture in America through exhibits, workshops, lectures, family programs, concerts, and films. View descriptions of past, current, and future exhibits; plan a visit for a special event or performance; or browse 100 select “treasures” from the Museum's archives and colleciton of artifacts and materials, which focus on the history of American Freemasonry and fraternalism, as well as all kinds of American history.
http://www.monh.org/

National Postal Museum (Washington, D.C.)
The web site of the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum details the history of mail service in America, from colonial times through the late 19th century, and how establishment of our postal system helped bind the nation. Tour the permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as the selection of special online exhibits, learn about “philately” (stamp collecting), or download the free curriculum guides available for educators.
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

New Hampshire Historical Society
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society exists to answer your questions about the state's past and present. Of note are the Society's innovative educational programs, including a fun lesson plan called the Mills of New Hampshire Challenge, where students study what life was like in the mills of the north during the industrial boom.
http://nhhistory.org

Rhode Island Historical Society
Rhode Island's historical society investigates and celebrates the Ocean State's unique history. Tracing its origin to 1822, the society is the nation's fourth oldest of its kind. Included in its many, varied collections are manuscripts from the days of European settlement and the first television news archives established by a U.S. historical society.
http://www.rihs.org

Rothschild Petersen Patent Model Museum (Cazenovia, NY)
Model enthusiasts, history buffs, and the general public will enjoy browsing the on-line home of the world's largest privately-owned collection of U.S. patent models, spanning the American Industrial Revolution. Learn the history of these marvelous “working” miniatures, once required of American inventors with their patent submissions. Until the collection finds a permanent physical home in a national patent model museum (owner Alan Rothschild's dream), visit this site to view a sampling of these small wonders, read articles about the collection, and find out where some of the models are being exhibited on loan.
http://www.patentmodel.org/

Shelburne Museum (Shelburne, VT)
Our nation's history interpreted through art, Americana, architecture, and artifacts in this museum's eclectic displays and collections. Counted among the Shelburne's rich variety of holdings are 25 19th-century structures, including a covered bridge, a round barn, and a lighthouse. Take a virtual tour of this delightful museum!
http://www.shelburnemuseum.org

Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.)
Born of English scientist James Smithson's mysterious bequest of his fortune to the United States for the founding of an institution for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge,” the Smithsonian has evolved into the world's largest museum complex and the home of the U.S. national collections in natural and American history, air and space, and the fine and decorative arts, among others. Get lost in the myriad online exhibits, publications, and education programs. A multitude of resources are provided here for kids, teachers, and the “average Joe” on almost any subject!
http://www.si.edu

The Boston Museum Project
Envisioned by its planners as a “gateway center for the city of Boston and the northeast region,” the Boston Museum Project aspires to serve our community as a point of orientation for residents and visitors; a museum of local history; a showcase for the many rich and diverse cultures that our citizenry encompasses; a theater, public forum, and civic center; and more. Follow the interesting process of a city museum-in-the-making on this site.
http://www.bostonmuseum.org/

The Federal Reserve System's “Historical Beginnings”
The Boston Fed's publication on the establishment of our country's central banking system with the signing of the Federal Reserve Act in 1913, and the events leading up to this historic moment.
http://www.bos.frb.org/about/pubs/begin.pdf

The History of Costume
Printed as a book from 1861 to 1880 by the German publishing firm of Braun and Schneider, The History of Costume, preserved digitally on this site, is a collection of plates illustrating historical dress, from antiquity to the late 19th century. This wonderful study of period fashions will make you glad you live in the age of spandex, business casual, and denim for all occasions. An excellent source for costume designers and students of fashion history, and a fun look back at the styles of centuries past for us all.
http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/history.html

The Millyard Museum (Manchester, NH)
The Manchester Historic Association's Millyard Museum captures over 11,000 years of Amoskeag Falls history with its “Woven in Time” exhibit. The exhibit spans from the first Native American inhabitants to the thousands of workers—many of them immigrants—whose unified labor once made the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company the largest producer of cotton textiles in the world, and concludes with the current revitalization of the millyard with a stream of new immigrants and industries.
http://www.manchesterhistoric.org/mill.htm

The U.S. Department of Labor Bicentennial History of the American Worker
An interesting and readable history of U.S. economic development, with a focus on labor. This DOL publication describes how the nature of work and working conditions have changed over time, discusses workers' efforts to organize to secure improvements in compensation and working conditions, and profiles key figures in the labor movement. It contains numerous references to developments in New England.
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/amworkerintro.htm

The White House
Official speeches, press releases, national news briefs, and current policy statements on issues of national import are all available here. In addition, the site offers biographical information on U.S. Presidents and First Ladies, past and present, current and historical information about our nation's top office, the President's cabinet, all branches of the Federal Government, and the White House itself.
http://www.whitehouse.gov

Tsongas Industrial History Center (Lowell, MA)
The Tsongas Center helps school-age children explore and learn about the American Industrial Revolution through hands-on activities (such as weaving on looms, working on assembly lines, and building a canal system) and role-playing (an immigrant, a factory worker, an inventor). Students discern the lessons of this important era in our economic history in creative and engaging ways. Curriculum packets are available for download.
http://www.uml.edu/tsongas/index2.htm

Vermont Historical Society
The only institution to collect artifacts and documents that represent the history of the entire state every distinct area and every time periodthe Vermont Historical Society has been serving its community since 1838. Read or search the scholarly journal, Vermont History, or view the Faces of Vermont online exhibit on this comprehensive web site.
http://www.vermonthistory.org

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
The governing body of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks that make up the nation's central banking system, with a primary responsibility of formulating monetary policy that promotes and maintains a stable financial system.
http://www.federalreserve.gov

Dr. T's EconLinks.com
Links to current economic news, data, analysis, and educational materials are compiled and conveniently indexed in this resource-packed site for anyone interested in economics, business, or finance. Read about the current state of the national economy, look up economic terms in the glossary, or partake in a chat with economics/business teachers, researchers, or students—and if English isn't your native tongue, there are chat rooms in eight other languages as well! Don't forget to follow the link to “Economist Jokes” for a chuckle.
http://www.econlinks.com/

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Sixth District: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
http://www.frbatlanta.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the First District (New England): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
http://www.bos.frb.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Seventh District: Iowa and most of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
http://www.chicagofed.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Fourth District: Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia.
http://www.clevelandfed.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Eleventh District: Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico.
http://www.dallasfed.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Tenth District: Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and parts of New Mexico and Missouri.
http://www.kc.frb.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Ninth District: Minnesota, Montana, North and South Dakota, 26 counties in northwestern Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula of Michigan.
http://minneapolisfed.org

Federal Reserve Bank of New York
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Second District: New York State, the 12 northern counties of New Jersey, Fairfield County in Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
http://www.newyorkfed.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Third District: Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
http://www.phil.frb.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Fifth District: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and most of West Virginia.
http://www.rich.frb.org

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Twelfth District: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, as well as American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
http://www.frbsf.org

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the Eighth District: Arkansas, and portions of Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.
http://www.stlouisfed.org

Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Bureau of Financial Institutions
The state of Maine's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.state.me.us/pfr/bkg/bkg_index.htm

Massachusetts Division of Banks
The state of Massachusetts' regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.state.ma.us/dob

Museum of American Financial History (New York)
The Museum of American Financial History showcases the history of Wall Street, the economic miracle of the markets, and the achievements of American businessmen and women from Alexander Hamilton's founding designs for a national economy to the rise of "dot com" entrepreneurs and the new "global economy."
http://www.financialhistory.org

State of Connecticut Department of Banking
The state of Connecticut's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.state.ct.us/dob

State of New Hampshire Banking Department
The state of New Hampshire's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.state.nh.us/banking

State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation - Division of Banking
The state of Rhode Island's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.dbr.state.ri.us/divisions/banking/

State of Vermont Banking Division
The state of Vermont's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.bishca.state.vt.us/banking/banking-division

The Federal Reserve System's “Purposes & Functions”
This Board of Governors' publication provides an overview of the Federal Reserve System, explains its original objectives, and how its role in banking and the economy has expanded over the decades since its creation.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pf/pf.htm

The Federal Reserve System's “Historical Beginnings”
The Boston Fed's publication on the establishment of our country's central banking system with the signing of the Federal Reserve Act in 1913, and the events leading up to this historic moment.
http://www.bos.frb.org/about/pubs/begin.pdf

Charles River Museum of Industry (Waltham, MA)
A great museum that explores the past, present, and future of the Machine Age, studies the history of industry and technology, and seeks to inspire future innovations in science and technology through its educational events and exhibits. Get a taste for the museum's offerings on a virtual reality tour of its first floor.
http://www.crmi.org/

Connecticut Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Connecticut.
http://www.2chambers.com/connecti2.htm

Enterprising Women: 250 Years of American Business
This web site is an extension of a national exhibit about some of the fascinating women who helped shape the landscape of American business over the past few centuries. The trials and triumphs of this diverse group of women inventors, innovators, and trendsetters is told through a “stories quilt,” where you'll find biographies of each. Resources for educators on how to use exhibit content in lessons, games that test historical knowledge and entrepreneurial savvy, and a section where contemporary businesswomen can help today's aspiring entrepreneurs by sharing their own “stories” are among the highlights.
http://www.radcliffe.edu/schles/exhibits/enterprisingwomen/index.html

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the First District (New England): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
http://www.bos.frb.org

Maine Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Maine.
http://www.2chambers.com/maine2.htm

Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Massachusetts.
http://www.2chambers.com/massachu2.htm

New Hampshire Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in New Hampshire.
http://www.2chambers.com/new4.htm

Rhode Island Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Rhode Island.
http://www.2chambers.com/rhode2.htm

The Boston Private Industry Council
The Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) is Boston's nonprofit workforce investment board. PIC builds connections among employers, labor, schools, training providers, and public agencies. It helps employers find and train workers, young people prepare for success in the workforce, and adults locate appropriate training and job opportunities.
http://www.bostonpic.org

Tsongas Industrial History Center (Lowell, MA)
The Tsongas Center helps school-age children explore and learn about the American Industrial Revolution through hands-on activities (such as weaving on looms, working on assembly lines, and building a canal system) and role-playing (an immigrant, a factory worker, an inventor). Students discern the lessons of this important era in our economic history in creative and engaging ways. Curriculum packets are available for download.
http://www.uml.edu/tsongas/index2.htm

U.S. Department of Commerce
The federal government agency charged with promoting and advocating for American business, both in the U.S. and abroad.
http://www.commerce.gov

Vermont Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Vermont.
http://www.2chambers.com/vermont2.htm

Back to the Top

American Precision Museum (Windsor, VT)
Preserving the heritage of the mechanical arts and the history of the machine tool industry, both in New England and elsewhere in the country, is Vermont's American Precision Museum (APM). As the repository for the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation, the APM aptly illustrates the importance of precision manufacturing to the development of communication technology, transportation, sanitation, medical care, and just about every aspect of our lives. Visit the online “machine tool hall of fame” to learn about the leading figures in this industry's growth and development.
http://www.americanprecision.org

Cape Cod Canal, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' web site for the Cape Cod Canal, the world's widest sea-level canal and a New England point of interest, is packed with in-depth canal history, photographs, and information on educational, recreational, and natural resources.
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/ccc/ccchome.htm

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the First District (New England): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
http://www.bos.frb.org

Funding A Revolution: Government Support for Computing Research (Historical Review)
This online version of the National Academy Press's report titled Funding A Revolution: Government Support for Computing Research examines the fascinating history of computing and the development of communications technology, with a focus on the federal government's prominent role in funding research and helping launch the computer revolution.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6323#toc

History of the U.S. Postal Service
An interesting and in-depth account of the formation of our country’s earliest communication network that helped bind us together as a nation—the U.S. Postal System. This detailed work, nicely sectioned into chapters and very searchable, is preceded with a useful timeline of significant postal history events.
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub100/welcome.htm?from=postalhistory&page=pub100htmlfile

National Postal Museum (Washington, D.C.)
The web site of the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum details the history of mail service in America, from colonial times through the late 19th century, and how establishment of our postal system helped bind the nation. Tour the permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as the selection of special online exhibits, learn about “philately” (stamp collecting), or download the free curriculum guides available for educators.
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

The Big Dig
The largest, most complex, and most challenging highway project in American history is Boston's Big Dig. Explore the project's lengthy history (construction started in 1991!) and interesting information on archaeological finds and the engineering feats that make the Dig a marvel. Take a virtual tour, view the project's extensive photo gallery, or just check progress on this comprehensive site.
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/bigdig/bigdigmain.aspx

Connecticut History Online
Connecticut History Online is a collaborative project of various entities, including the Connecticut Historical Society and the Connecticut State Library, which affords a view into Connecticut's past through a vast collection of historical images. Scenes from the state's social, business, political, educational, cultural, and civic life, as far back as the early 19th century, unfold with the aid of some 14,000 photographs, drawings, and prints contained in the collection.
http://www.cthistoryonline.org

Back to the Top

Diaries of George M. Wadsworth of Franklin, Massachusetts
These diaries, found by Gail Lembo at a yard sale and edited and transcribed by her over a period of six years, offer exceptional insight into everyday life during the 36-year period from 1857 to 1893.
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/general/wadsworth/default.htm

Maine Memory Network
Maine's rather unique online museum database, comprising historical documents and images contributed by cultural institutions from around the state. Explore Maine's heritage by viewing digital versions of everything from letters and journals to maps, photographs, paintings, drawings, and video files.
http://www.mainememory.com

Making of America
A collaborative effort of the libraries at Cornell University and the University of Michigan, “Making of America” is a robust digital collection of primary sources in American social history, from the antebellum period through reconstruction. The digitized pages of 19th century books and journals preserved here, such as The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's New Monthly Magazine, and Scientific American, are a marvelous resource on this period for researchers in education, psychology, American history, sociology, religion, and science and technology. (Note: this link is to Cornell's contributions to the project, alone; a link on the “About MOA” page accesses the University of Michigan's contributions.)
http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/

The History of Costume
Printed as a book from 1861 to 1880 by the German publishing firm of Braun and Schneider, The History of Costume, preserved digitally on this site, is a collection of plates illustrating historical dress, from antiquity to the late 19th century. This wonderful study of period fashions will make you glad you live in the age of spandex, “business casual,” and denim for all occasions. An excellent source for costume designers and students of fashion history, and a fun look back at the styles of centuries past for us all.
http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/history.html

University of Virginia Geostat Center Historical Census Data Browser
Derived from the U.S. Decennial Census, this easy-to-use browser on the University of Virginia Geospatial and Statistical Data Center's site provides access to population and economic data for U.S. states and counties from 1790 to 1960. Data sets become more sophisticated in later decades, supplementing basic population counts and information on race, gender, and household size with other variables, including ancestry, literacy, and income.
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/

A Biography of America
This is the Annenberg/Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) companion web site to the well-known and excellent video series and telecourse on American history.
http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica

Dr. T's EconLinks.com
Links to current economic news, data, analysis, and educational materials are compiled and conveniently indexed in this resource-packed site for anyone interested in economics, business, or finance. Read about the current state of the national economy, look up economic terms in the glossary, or partake in a chat with economics/business teachers, researchers, or students—and if English isn't your native tongue, there are chat rooms in eight other languages as well! Don't forget to follow the link to “Economist Jokes” for a chuckle.
http://www.econlinks.com/

EcEdWeb Economic Education Web
The Economic Education Web is an effective filter for the numerous resources and teaching materials on economics available on the Internet. Find general economic information links and statistical data or search for lessons by economic concepts, standards, and grade levels on this award-winning site.
http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/

Econoclass.com
Econoclass.com is a web site that features resources for teachers of high school and college economics. Created in 2005 by Lori Alden, a University of California Ph.D. in economics, this site offers games and simulations, case studies, debate topics, brain teasers, and suggestions for classroom props and prizes to help teachers make economics learning interactive and fun for students.
http://www.econoclass.com/

Economic History Network
The Economic History Network (EH.Net) was created to promote and facilitate communication among scholars in economic history and related fields. This site provides electronic discussion lists and hosts the Economic History Services file server, with its multitude of economic and business history resources. Among the educational tools is “How Much Is That?” - a feature that illustrates the comparative value of purchasing power, past and present.
http://www.eh.net

Fed Challenge
The home page on the Boston Fed's web site for the “Fed Challenge,” a regional academic competiton for high school students designed to teach them about how the Fed makes monetary policy. Participants gain a better understanding of our nation's central bank, how the economy works, and the factors that influence monetary policy decisions.
http://www.bos.frb.org/education/competitions/fedchallenge/fedchal.htm

Federal Reserve Education
The Federal Reserve System's economic education portal is packed with information and resources on economics and personal finance. Links are provided to interactive learning activities and games, as well as each individual Reserve Bank's education site.
http://www.federalreserveeducation.org

Foundation for Teaching Economics
Another great resource site for high school educators and students of economics, offering workshops, activities, and lesson plans.
http://www.fte.org

Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy
The parent organization of numerous state coalitions, national Jump$tart has been working, since 1995, to ensure that students develop the basic financial management skills they will need to succeed in their daily lives, before they graduate from high school—everything from balancing a checkbook to principles of saving, investing, and managing credit. A great reference site for teachers of this important subject, featuring all kinds of resources including recommended curricula, surveys and scholarly articles, personal finance education standards and “best practices” guidelines, and the useful “Financial Fridays” archive of member organization profiles.
http://www.jumpstart.org/

Junior Achievement
Founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, Junior Achievement is a national non-profit, volunteer-based organization (with international outreach in over 100 countries) focused on teaching young people the fundamentals and value of the free enterprise system, and how to use it, along with business and economics, to improve the quality of their lives. This site offers education programs in business and economics, resources and advice for the young entrepreneur, and scholarship opportunities.
http://www.ja.org

Museum of American Financial History (New York)
The Museum of American Financial History showcases the history of Wall Street, the economic miracle of the markets, and the achievements of American businessmen and women from Alexander Hamilton's founding designs for a national economy to the rise of "dot com" entrepreneurs and the new "global economy."
http://www.financialhistory.org

National Council on Economic Education
The National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) is a nationwide network of state councils and university centers joined in the mission of promoting economic literacy and understanding of personal finance to young people. This site is an abundant source of comprehensive economic education programs for school districts and teachers, and classroom-tested, standards-based economic lesson plans for use by both teachers and students, together or independently.
http://www.ncee.net

New Hampshire Jump$tart Coalition
The Granite State's affiliate of the national Jump$tart Coalition is dedicated to advancing the financial literacy of children. Some features of this useful site include a clearinghouse of personal finance education resources and a contingent of volunteer professionals, from the financial services industry, willing to speak to students on various aspects of this topic. Kids can sign up to test their consumer savvy in state and national competitions or answer a “reality check” questionnaire that shows them how much it costs to maintain their desired standard of living, what types of jobs pay enough to support such a standard, and what levels of education are needed to attain them.
http://www.nhjumpstart.org/

The Federal Reserve System's “Purposes & Functions”
This Board of Governors' publication provides an overview of the Federal Reserve System, explains its original objectives, and how its role in banking and the economy has expanded over the decades since its creation.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pf/pf.htm

The Federal Reserve System's “Historical Beginnings”
The Boston Fed's publication on the establishment of our country's central banking system with the signing of the Federal Reserve Act in 1913, and the events leading up to this historic moment.
http://www.bos.frb.org/about/pubs/begin.pdf

The U.S. Department of Labor Bicentennial History of the American Worker
An interesting and readable history of U.S. economic development, with a focus on labor. This DOL publication describes how the nature of work and working conditions have changed over time, discusses workers' efforts to organize to secure improvements in compensation and working conditions, and profiles key figures in the labor movement. It contains numerous references to developments in New England.
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/amworkerintro.htm

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS is the Federal Government's premier fact-finding agency on the subject of labor economics and statistics. Objective, comprehensive, and timely surveys and analyses of the social and economic conditions of our nation and its workers and families produce valuable data with which to measure the state of our national economy. An incredible source of important information is available here to the general public.
http://www.bls.gov

U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is the country's leading source of demographic data on the U.S. population and its economy, and most information is accessible through this Internet homepage.
http://www.census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau Kids' Corner
The U.S. Census Bureau helps kids understand “why counting counts” with its Kids' Corner page. Also featured are fun and interesting facts about each state individually and the country as a whole, as well as interactive quizzes based on Census data.
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/kids.html

University of Virginia Geostat Center Historical Census Data Browser
Derived from the U.S. Decennial Census, this easy-to-use browser on the University of Virginia Geospatial and Statistical Data Center's site provides access to population and economic data for U.S. states and counties from 1790 to 1960. Data sets become more sophisticated in later decades, supplementing basic population counts and information on race, gender, and household size with other variables, including ancestry, literacy, and income.
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/

BAM! Body and Mind (CDC Kids' Page)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created this useful reference page on health for kids ages 9-13, delivered in colorful, comic book fashion. Subjects tackled include diseases, nutrition, safety, hygiene, physical activity, and even adolescent pressures. Games, quizzes, and other interactive features are used to help kids absorb the facts they need to make healthy lifestyle choices; teachers can find fun activities for students that are linked to national education standards for science and health.
http://www.bam.gov/

Fact Monster
FactMonster.com (formerly known as Infopleasekids.com) is a great reference tool for kids, offering fun facts and information presented in a funky, cartoon-style format. Topics range from politics, math, and science to world news. Among its many useful features are an atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, and individualized homework help.
http://www.factmonster.com

Fed Challenge
The home page on the Boston Fed's web site for the “Fed Challenge,” a regional academic competiton for high school students designed to teach them about how the Fed makes monetary policy. Participants gain a better understanding of our nation's central bank, how the economy works, and the factors that influence monetary policy decisions.
http://www.bos.frb.org/education/competitions/fedchallenge/fedchal.htm

Federal Reserve Education
The Federal Reserve System's economic education portal is packed with information and resources on economics and personal finance. Links are provided to interactive learning activities and games, as well as each individual Reserve Bank's education site.
http://www.federalreserveeducation.org

Foundation for Teaching Economics
Another great resource site for high school educators and students of economics, offering workshops, activities, and lesson plans.
http://www.fte.org

Information Please Online Reference
This wonderful online news and reference site evolved out of a popular radio quiz show in 1938, becoming an annual almanac in 1947, and finally debuting on the Internet in 1998. Authoritative answers to all kinds of factual questions are found here, as well as special features for kids, parents, and teachers.
http://www.infoplease.com

Junior Achievement
Founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, Junior Achievement is a national non-profit, volunteer-based organization (with international outreach in over 100 countries) focused on teaching young people the fundamentals and value of the free enterprise system, and how to use it, along with business and economics, to improve the quality of their lives. This site offers education programs in business and economics, resources and advice for the young entrepreneur, and scholarship opportunities.
http://www.ja.org

Museum of Science (Boston, MA)
With a mission to stimulate interest in and promote understanding of science and technology, Boston's world-reknown Museum of Science remains on the cutting edge of science education with interactive exhibits and programs that both educate and entertain.
http://www.mos.org

National Council on Economic Education
The National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) is a nationwide network of state councils and university centers joined in the mission of promoting economic literacy and understanding of personal finance to young people. This site is an abundant source of comprehensive economic education programs for school districts and teachers, and classroom-tested, standards-based economic lesson plans for use by both teachers and students, together or independently.
http://www.ncee.net

New Hampshire Jump$tart Coalition
The Granite State's affiliate of the national Jump$tart Coalition is dedicated to advancing the financial literacy of children. Some features of this useful site include a clearinghouse of personal finance education resources and a contingent of volunteer professionals, from the financial services industry, willing to speak to students on various aspects of this topic. Kids can sign up to test their consumer savvy in state and national competitions or answer a “reality check” questionnaire that shows them how much it costs to maintain their desired standard of living, what types of jobs pay enough to support such a standard, and what levels of education are needed to attain them.
http://www.nhjumpstart.org/

U.S. Census Bureau Kids' Corner
The U.S. Census Bureau helps kids understand “why counting counts” with its Kids' Corner page. Also featured are fun and interesting facts about each state individually and the country as a whole, as well as interactive quizzes based on Census data.
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/kids.html

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Kids' Primer
On the award-winning kids' pages of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office web site is this informative primer on the who, what, when, how, and why of patents, trademarks and copyrights, presented in kid-friendly fashion. From here, jump to the other USPTO kids pages featuring games, contests, and the patent, trademark, and copyright “time machine.”
http://www.uspto.gov/go/kids/kidprimer.html

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BAM! Body and Mind (CDC Kids' Page)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created this useful reference page on health for kids ages 9-13, delivered in colorful, comic book fashion. Subjects tackled include diseases, nutrition, safety, hygiene, physical activity, and even adolescent pressures. Games, quizzes, and other interactive features are used to help kids absorb the facts they need to make healthy lifestyle choices; teachers can find fun activities for students that are linked to national education standards for science and health.
http://www.bam.gov/

The Public Health Museum in Massachusetts
Read about the beginnings of public health as a science in America and the city of Boston's role in its development on this concise but informative site.
http://www.publichealthmuseum.org

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Cape Cod Canal, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' web site for the Cape Cod Canal, the world's widest sea-level canal and a New England point of interest, is packed with in-depth canal history, photographs, and information on educational, recreational, and natural resources.
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/ccc/ccchome.htm

History of the U.S. Postal Service
An interesting and in-depth account of the formation of our country’s earliest communication network that helped bind us together as a nation—the U.S. Postal System. This detailed work, nicely sectioned into chapters and very searchable, is preceded with a useful timeline of significant postal history events.
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub100/welcome.htm?from=postalhistory&page=pub100htmlfile

National Postal Museum (Washington, D.C.)
The web site of the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum details the history of mail service in America, from colonial times through the late 19th century, and how establishment of our postal system helped bind the nation. Tour the permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as the selection of special online exhibits, learn about “philately” (stamp collecting), or download the free curriculum guides available for educators.
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

The Big Dig
The largest, most complex, and most challenging highway project in American history is Boston's Big Dig. Explore the project's lengthy history (construction started in 1991!) and interesting information on archaeological finds and the engineering feats that make the Dig a marvel. Take a virtual tour, view the project's extensive photo gallery, or just check progress on this comprehensive site.
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/bigdig/bigdigmain.aspx

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Enterprising Women: 250 Years of American Business
This web site is an extension of a national exhibit about some of the fascinating women who helped shape the landscape of American business over the past few centuries. The trials and triumphs of this diverse group of women inventors, innovators, and trendsetters is told through a “stories quilt,” where you'll find biographies of each. Resources for educators on how to use exhibit content in lessons, games that test historical knowledge and entrepreneurial savvy, and a section where contemporary businesswomen can help today's aspiring entrepreneurs by sharing their own “stories” are among the highlights.
http://www.radcliffe.edu/schles/exhibits/enterprisingwomen/index.html

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
Founded by New Hampshire inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, FIRST seeks to excite young people's interest in science, technology, and engineering, and motivate them to pursue careers in those fields. FIRST designs innovative programs and sponsors competitions to build children's skills, self-confidence, and knowledge in science, and inspire their creativity. Check out the opportunities on this web site.
http://www.usfirst.org

How Stuff Works
Ever wonder how some of our most prized gizmos and gadgets—stuff like cell phones, personal organizers, and portable music players—actually work? How about the workings of more complex things like our system of currency, or spyware on our personal computers, or even Botox® on our premature wrinkles? How Stuff Works explains all these mysteries and virtually any others you can ponder on subjects such as computers, electronics, science, health, and money. Try this useful and entertaining reference site, and while you're there, check out the article on “How the Fed Works.”
http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Invent Now
This is a great, FLASH-only web site that celebrates and stimulates the American spirit of invention. Browse the National Inventors Hall of Fame to meet the forward-thinking women and men responsible for the great technological advances of our time and times past; check out creative educational programs and competitions for grade-school and college students; or take an on-line workshop on how to patent.
http://www.invent.org

Junior Achievement
Founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, Junior Achievement is a national non-profit, volunteer-based organization (with international outreach in over 100 countries) focused on teaching young people the fundamentals and value of the free enterprise system, and how to use it, along with business and economics, to improve the quality of their lives. This site offers education programs in business and economics, resources and advice for the young entrepreneur, and scholarship opportunities.
http://www.ja.org

Lemelson-MIT: Invention Dimension
The kid in each of us will appreciate MIT's creative and “wacky” approach to learning about inventions. Everything from games and trivia, to inventor profiles and resources, to patent guidelines is covered in this fun ,“inventive” site.
http://web.mit.edu/invent/invent-main.html

Mom Inventors
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” and this web site helps her find the information, resources, and support she'll need to bring her good ideas to market. Founded by one of its own in 2003, Mom Inventors is a company that produces and sells products made by and for moms. More important, however, is the unique online community that this company's web site provides—specifically geared to creative, problem-solving moms—offering access to expert help with everything from patenting, prototyping, and manufacturing, to marketing. Mom inventors also learn from each other's shared experiences.
http://www.mominventors.com

Rothschild Petersen Patent Model Museum (Cazenovia, NY)
Model enthusiasts, history buffs, and the general public will enjoy browsing the on-line home of the world's largest privately-owned collection of U.S. patent models, spanning the American Industrial Revolution. Learn the history of these marvelous “working” miniatures, once required of American inventors with their patent submissions. Until the collection finds a permanent physical home in a national patent model museum (owner Alan Rothschild's dream), visit this site to view a sampling of these small wonders, read articles about the collection, and find out where some of the models are being exhibited on loan.
http://www.patentmodel.org/

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Kids' Primer
On the award-winning kids' pages of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office web site is this informative primer on the who, what, when, how, and why of patents, trademarks and copyrights, presented in kid-friendly fashion. From here, jump to the other USPTO kids pages featuring games, contests, and the patent, trademark, and copyright “time machine.”
http://www.uspto.gov/go/kids/kidprimer.html

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American Textile History Museum (Lowell, MA)
The wool, cotton, flax, and silk industries of New England and beyond are documented and preserved in the American Textile History Museum's collections of tools, machinery, textiles, and printed and pictorial matter. Educational programs on the region's and the nation's textile industries and conservation resources for textile artifacts are provided.
http://www.athm.org

Boston Public Library
Founded in 1848, Boston's own BP was the first large, free municipal library in the U.S. Not only a bountiful source of research materials, the library is also a treasure trove of rare books, manuscripts, maps, musical scores and art, as well as a magnificent example of several forms of architecture. Explore BPL's award-winning web site for a sampling of the library's rich and varied offerings.
http://www.bpl.org

Cape Cod Canal, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' web site for the Cape Cod Canal, the world's widest sea-level canal and a New England point of interest, is packed with in-depth canal history, photographs, and information on educational, recreational, and natural resources.
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/ccc/ccchome.htm

Charles River Museum of Industry (Waltham, MA)
A great museum that explores the past, present, and future of the Machine Age, studies the history of industry and technology, and seeks to inspire future innovations in science and technology through its educational events and exhibits. Get a taste for the museum's offerings on a virtual reality tour of its first floor.
http://www.crmi.org/

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Official State Web Site
This is the definitive source of information on living and doing business in Massachusetts.
http://www.mass.gov

Diaries of George M. Wadsworth of Franklin, Massachusetts
These diaries, found by Gail Lembo at a yard sale and edited and transcribed by her over a period of six years, offer exceptional insight into everyday life during the 36-year period from 1857 to 1893.
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/general/wadsworth/default.htm

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the First District (New England): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
http://www.bos.frb.org

Lemelson-MIT: Invention Dimension
The kid in each of us will appreciate MIT's creative and “wacky” approach to learning about inventions. Everything from games and trivia, to inventor profiles and resources, to patent guidelines is covered in this fun ,“inventive” site.
http://web.mit.edu/invent/invent-main.html

Mass Moments
Launched in January 2005 by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, the Mass Moments project is an almanac of Massachusetts history presented through daily radio spots and this online companion. The story of a different event or person(s) of note in the Bay State's colorful past is read each day on participating radio stations and explored more fully on the Mass Moments web site, where you'll find background, sources, images and illustrations, and related links for each “moment.”
http://www.massmoments.org

Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Massachusetts.
http://www.2chambers.com/massachu2.htm

Massachusetts Division of Banks
The state of Massachusetts' regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.state.ma.us/dob

Massachusetts Historical Society
Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) was essentially the first American historical repository and charged itself with the preservation and documentation of our young nation's history. As other historical institutions were established elsewhere, MHS focused its attention specifically on Massachusetts and New England and the many local contributions to our national heritage. MHS is a major research library and manuscript repository and was the first institution of its kind to publish in its field. Click the “On View” tab to explore the society's digital archives, online curriculum, and web exhibitions.
http://www.masshist.org

Museum of Science (Boston, MA)
With a mission to stimulate interest in and promote understanding of science and technology, Boston's world-reknown Museum of Science remains on the cutting edge of science education with interactive exhibits and programs that both educate and entertain.
http://www.mos.org

National Heritage Museum (Lexington, MA)
Founded in 1975 by the Scottish Rite Freemasons, the National Heritage Museum celebrates freedom, history, and culture in America through exhibits, workshops, lectures, family programs, concerts, and films. View descriptions of past, current, and future exhibits; plan a visit for a special event or performance; or browse 100 select “treasures” from the Museum's archives and colleciton of artifacts and materials, which focus on the history of American Freemasonry and fraternalism, as well as all kinds of American history.
http://www.monh.org/

The Big Dig
The largest, most complex, and most challenging highway project in American history is Boston's Big Dig. Explore the project's lengthy history (construction started in 1991!) and interesting information on archaeological finds and the engineering feats that make the Dig a marvel. Take a virtual tour, view the project's extensive photo gallery, or just check progress on this comprehensive site.
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/bigdig/bigdigmain.aspx

The Boston Museum Project
Envisioned by its planners as a “gateway center for the city of Boston and the northeast region,” the Boston Museum Project aspires to serve our community as a point of orientation for residents and visitors; a museum of local history; a showcase for the many rich and diverse cultures that our citizenry encompasses; a theater, public forum, and civic center; and more. Follow the interesting process of a city museum-in-the-making on this site.
http://www.bostonmuseum.org/

The Boston Private Industry Council
The Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) is Boston's nonprofit workforce investment board. PIC builds connections among employers, labor, schools, training providers, and public agencies. It helps employers find and train workers, young people prepare for success in the workforce, and adults locate appropriate training and job opportunities.
http://www.bostonpic.org

The Public Health Museum in Massachusetts
Read about the beginnings of public health as a science in America and the city of Boston's role in its development on this concise but informative site.
http://www.publichealthmuseum.org

The State Library of Massachusetts
The official depository for Massachusetts state documents, the State Library of Massachusetts has also served as a multifaceted information resource for legislators, state employees, historians, genealogists, and interested citizens since 1826.
http://www.state.ma.us/lib

Tsongas Industrial History Center (Lowell, MA)
The Tsongas Center helps school-age children explore and learn about the American Industrial Revolution through hands-on activities (such as weaving on looms, working on assembly lines, and building a canal system) and role-playing (an immigrant, a factory worker, an inventor). Students discern the lessons of this important era in our economic history in creative and engaging ways. Curriculum packets are available for download.
http://www.uml.edu/tsongas/index2.htm

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American Precision Museum (Windsor, VT)
Preserving the heritage of the mechanical arts and the history of the machine tool industry, both in New England and elsewhere in the country, is Vermont's American Precision Museum (APM). As the repository for the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation, the APM aptly illustrates the importance of precision manufacturing to the development of communication technology, transportation, sanitation, medical care, and just about every aspect of our lives. Visit the online “machine tool hall of fame” to learn about the leading figures in this industry's growth and development.
http://www.americanprecision.org

American Textile History Museum (Lowell, MA)
The wool, cotton, flax, and silk industries of New England and beyond are documented and preserved in the American Textile History Museum's collections of tools, machinery, textiles, and printed and pictorial matter. Educational programs on the region's and the nation's textile industries and conservation resources for textile artifacts are provided.
http://www.athm.org

Charles River Museum of Industry (Waltham, MA)
A great museum that explores the past, present, and future of the Machine Age, studies the history of industry and technology, and seeks to inspire future innovations in science and technology through its educational events and exhibits. Get a taste for the museum's offerings on a virtual reality tour of its first floor.
http://www.crmi.org/

Computer History Museum (Mountain View, CA)
Chronicling the past and ongoing history of the information age is the mission of the Computer History Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of computer-related artifacts, documents and photographs. Delve into the evolution of the Internet, the microprocessor, and computers in general via detailed timelines; wander the museum's on-line Hall of Fellows to meet some of the key contributors to our current state of technology; or search the digitized database of artifacts (most collections will eventually be available on-line). Well worth a virtual visit.
http://www.computerhistory.org

Connecticut Historical Society
A museum, library, and education center, the Connecticut Historical Society is devoted to interpreting and archiving the history of Connecticut and its diverse people. Established in 1825, it is the seventh oldest historical society in the nation and houses one of the most distinghished collections of objects, prints and photographs, art and furniture, textiles and costumes, and toys and tools in New England, as well as abundant volumes and manuscripts and one of the nation's finest genealogical collections. Online exhibits highlight the museum's community outreach efforts and its diverse holdings.
http://www.chs.org

Connecticut History Online
Connecticut History Online is a collaborative project of various entities, including the Connecticut Historical Society and the Connecticut State Library, which affords a view into Connecticut's past through a vast collection of historical images. Scenes from the state's social, business, political, educational, cultural, and civic life, as far back as the early 19th century, unfold with the aid of some 14,000 photographs, drawings, and prints contained in the collection.
http://www.cthistoryonline.org

Heritage Harbor Museum (Providence, RI)
Still under construction, the new Heritage Harbor Museum and its accompanying web site promise to highlight all the different cultures and communities of Rhode Island and showcase their contributions to the state's history. Slated for a phased opening beginning in December 2005, the museum will be the first New England affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and seeks to act as an interactive “living” textbook integrated into the school curriculum.
http://www.heritageharbor.org

Maine Historical Society
Collecting and preserving Maine's past since 1822, the Maine Historical Society offers a substantial compilation of resources for researching the state's and the nation's history and tracing your New England family roots.
http://www.mainehistory.org

Maine Memory Network
Maine's rather unique online museum database, comprising historical documents and images contributed by cultural institutions from around the state. Explore Maine's heritage by viewing digital versions of everything from letters and journals to maps, photographs, paintings, drawings, and video files.
http://www.mainememory.com

Massachusetts Historical Society
Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) was essentially the first American historical repository and charged itself with the preservation and documentation of our young nation's history. As other historical institutions were established elsewhere, MHS focused its attention specifically on Massachusetts and New England and the many local contributions to our national heritage. MHS is a major research library and manuscript repository and was the first institution of its kind to publish in its field. Click the “On View” tab to explore the society's digital archives, online curriculum, and web exhibitions.
http://www.masshist.org

Museum of American Financial History (New York)
The Museum of American Financial History showcases the history of Wall Street, the economic miracle of the markets, and the achievements of American businessmen and women from Alexander Hamilton's founding designs for a national economy to the rise of "dot com" entrepreneurs and the new "global economy."
http://www.financialhistory.org

Museum of Science (Boston, MA)
With a mission to stimulate interest in and promote understanding of science and technology, Boston's world-reknown Museum of Science remains on the cutting edge of science education with interactive exhibits and programs that both educate and entertain.
http://www.mos.org

Museum of Work and Culture (Woonsocket, RI)
Thet story of French Canadian immigrants who settled in Woonsocket and worked in its factories and mills is depicted in the Museum of Work and Culture's walk-through displays, interactive presentations, and collection of photographs. Focus is placed on the rise of the American working class and the transformation of immigrants to Americans.
http://www.woonsocket.org/workandculture.htm

National Heritage Museum (Lexington, MA)
Founded in 1975 by the Scottish Rite Freemasons, the National Heritage Museum celebrates freedom, history, and culture in America through exhibits, workshops, lectures, family programs, concerts, and films. View descriptions of past, current, and future exhibits; plan a visit for a special event or performance; or browse 100 select “treasures” from the Museum's archives and colleciton of artifacts and materials, which focus on the history of American Freemasonry and fraternalism, as well as all kinds of American history.
http://www.monh.org/

National Park Service
If you can't be at a national park, this web site is the next best place to explore all the parks have to offer. Besides descriptive information and activities and events lists for our country's wealth of historic sites and natural treasures, this site abounds with unique opportunities for students to experience history, science, nature, and American culture.
http://www.nps.gov

National Postal Museum (Washington, D.C.)
The web site of the Smithsonian Institution's National Postal Museum details the history of mail service in America, from colonial times through the late 19th century, and how establishment of our postal system helped bind the nation. Tour the permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as the selection of special online exhibits, learn about “philately” (stamp collecting), or download the free curriculum guides available for educators.
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

New Hampshire Historical Society
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society exists to answer your questions about the state's past and present. Of note are the Society's innovative educational programs, including a fun lesson plan called the Mills of New Hampshire Challenge, where students study what life was like in the mills of the north during the industrial boom.
http://nhhistory.org

Rhode Island Historical Society
Rhode Island's historical society investigates and celebrates the Ocean State's unique history. Tracing its origin to 1822, the society is the nation's fourth oldest of its kind. Included in its many, varied collections are manuscripts from the days of European settlement and the first television news archives established by a U.S. historical society.
http://www.rihs.org

Rothschild Petersen Patent Model Museum (Cazenovia, NY)
Model enthusiasts, history buffs, and the general public will enjoy browsing the on-line home of the world's largest privately-owned collection of U.S. patent models, spanning the American Industrial Revolution. Learn the history of these marvelous “working” miniatures, once required of American inventors with their patent submissions. Until the collection finds a permanent physical home in a national patent model museum (owner Alan Rothschild's dream), visit this site to view a sampling of these small wonders, read articles about the collection, and find out where some of the models are being exhibited on loan.
http://www.patentmodel.org/

Shelburne Museum (Shelburne, VT)
Our nation's history interpreted through art, Americana, architecture, and artifacts in this museum's eclectic displays and collections. Counted among the Shelburne's rich variety of holdings are 25 19th-century structures, including a covered bridge, a round barn, and a lighthouse. Take a virtual tour of this delightful museum!
http://www.shelburnemuseum.org

Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.)
Born of English scientist James Smithson's mysterious bequest of his fortune to the United States for the founding of an institution for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge,” the Smithsonian has evolved into the world's largest museum complex and the home of the U.S. national collections in natural and American history, air and space, and the fine and decorative arts, among others. Get lost in the myriad online exhibits, publications, and education programs. A multitude of resources are provided here for kids, teachers, and the “average Joe” on almost any subject!
http://www.si.edu

The Boston Museum Project
Envisioned by its planners as a “gateway center for the city of Boston and the northeast region,” the Boston Museum Project aspires to serve our community as a point of orientation for residents and visitors; a museum of local history; a showcase for the many rich and diverse cultures that our citizenry encompasses; a theater, public forum, and civic center; and more. Follow the interesting process of a city museum-in-the-making on this site.
http://www.bostonmuseum.org/

The Millyard Museum (Manchester, NH)
The Manchester Historic Association's Millyard Museum captures over 11,000 years of Amoskeag Falls history with its “Woven in Time” exhibit. The exhibit spans from the first Native American inhabitants to the thousands of workers—many of them immigrants—whose unified labor once made the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company the largest producer of cotton textiles in the world, and concludes with the current revitalization of the millyard with a stream of new immigrants and industries.
http://www.manchesterhistoric.org/mill.htm

The Public Health Museum in Massachusetts
Read about the beginnings of public health as a science in America and the city of Boston's role in its development on this concise but informative site.
http://www.publichealthmuseum.org

Vermont Historical Society
The only institution to collect artifacts and documents that represent the history of the entire state every distinct area and every time periodthe Vermont Historical Society has been serving its community since 1838. Read or search the scholarly journal, Vermont History, or view the Faces of Vermont online exhibit on this comprehensive web site.
http://www.vermonthistory.org

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Fed Challenge
The home page on the Boston Fed's web site for the “Fed Challenge,” a regional academic competiton for high school students designed to teach them about how the Fed makes monetary policy. Participants gain a better understanding of our nation's central bank, how the economy works, and the factors that influence monetary policy decisions.
http://www.bos.frb.org/education/competitions/fedchallenge/fedchal.htm

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
One of 12 banks that make up the nation's central banking system, serving the First District (New England): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
http://www.bos.frb.org

The Boston Museum Project
Envisioned by its planners as a “gateway center for the city of Boston and the northeast region,” the Boston Museum Project aspires to serve our community as a point of orientation for residents and visitors; a museum of local history; a showcase for the many rich and diverse cultures that our citizenry encompasses; a theater, public forum, and civic center; and more. Follow the interesting process of a city museum-in-the-making on this site.
http://www.bostonmuseum.org/

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New Hampshire Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in New Hampshire.
http://www.2chambers.com/new4.htm

New Hampshire Historical Society
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society exists to answer your questions about the state's past and present. Of note are the Society's innovative educational programs, including a fun lesson plan called the Mills of New Hampshire Challenge, where students study what life was like in the mills of the north during the industrial boom.
http://nhhistory.org

New Hampshire Jump$tart Coalition
The Granite State's affiliate of the national Jump$tart Coalition is dedicated to advancing the financial literacy of children. Some features of this useful site include a clearinghouse of personal finance education resources and a contingent of volunteer professionals, from the financial services industry, willing to speak to students on various aspects of this topic. Kids can sign up to test their consumer savvy in state and national competitions or answer a “reality check” questionnaire that shows them how much it costs to maintain their desired standard of living, what types of jobs pay enough to support such a standard, and what levels of education are needed to attain them.
http://www.nhjumpstart.org/

New Hampshire Official State Web Site
This is New Hampshire's online portal to state government, plus resources for residents and visitors on business, tourism, public agencies, and services.
http://www.state.nh.us

New Hampshire State Library
With its beginnings in 1717, the New Hampshire State Library is generally regarded as the oldest such institution in the United States. Tap into its vast assortment of online databases and informational resources on New Hampshire history, demographics, politics, and so on.
http://www.state.nh.us/nhsl

State of New Hampshire Banking Department
The state of New Hampshire's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.state.nh.us/banking

The Millyard Museum (Manchester, NH)
The Manchester Historic Association's Millyard Museum captures over 11,000 years of Amoskeag Falls history with its “Woven in Time” exhibit. The exhibit spans from the first Native American inhabitants to the thousands of workers—many of them immigrants—whose unified labor once made the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company the largest producer of cotton textiles in the world, and concludes with the current revitalization of the millyard with a stream of new immigrants and industries.
http://www.manchesterhistoric.org/mill.htm

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The History of Costume
Printed as a book from 1861 to 1880 by the German publishing firm of Braun and Schneider, The History of Costume, preserved digitally on this site, is a collection of plates illustrating historical dress, from antiquity to the late 19th century. This wonderful study of period fashions will make you glad you live in the age of spandex, business casual, and denim for all occasions. An excellent source for costume designers and students of fashion history, and a fun look back at the styles of centuries past for us all.
http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/history.html

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Boston Public Library
Founded in 1848, Boston's own BPL was the first large, free municipal library in the U.S. Not only a bountiful source of research materials, the library is also a treasure trove of rare books, manuscripts, maps, musical scores and art, as well as a magnificent example of several forms of architecture. Explore BPL's award-winning web site for a sampling of the library's rich and varied offerings.
http://www.bpl.org

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Official State Web Site
This is the definitive source of information on living and doing business in Massachusetts.
http://www.mass.gov

Connecticut Historical Society
A museum, library, and education center, the Connecticut Historical Society is devoted to interpreting and archiving the history of Connecticut and its diverse people. Established in 1825, it is the seventh oldest historical society in the nation and houses one of the most distinghished collections of objects, prints and photographs, art and furniture, textiles and costumes, and toys and tools in New England, as well as abundant volumes and manuscripts and one of the nation's finest genealogical collections. Online exhibits highlight the museum's community outreach efforts and its diverse holdings.
http://www.chs.org

Connecticut State Library
The home of Connecticut's official state archives, the Connecticut State Library documents the evolution of state public policy, the rights and claims of its citizenry, and the history of its realm and its people.
http://www.cslib.org

Fact Monster
FactMonster.com (formerly known as Infopleasekids.com) is a great reference tool for kids, offering fun facts and information presented in a funky, cartoon-style format. Topics range from politics, math, and science to world news. Among its many useful features are an atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, and individualized homework help.
http://www.factmonster.com

Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM)
The Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) is a consortium effort that provides educators with quick and easy access to myriad educational resources found on various federal, state, university, non-profit, and commercial web sites. Browse the huge, ever-expanding GEM Catalog, which currently contains over 40,000 descriptions of educational content available on the Internet, and connect directly to these resources through the links provided.
http://www.thegateway.org/

How Stuff Works
Ever wonder how some of our most prized gizmos and gadgets—stuff like cell phones, personal organizers, and portable music players—actually work? How about the workings of more complex things like our system of currency, or spyware on our personal computers, or even Botox on our premature wrinkles? How Stuff Works explains all these mysteries and virtually any others you can ponder on subjects such as computers, electronics, science, health, and money. Try this useful and entertaining reference site, and while you're there, check out the article on “How the Fed Works.”
http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Information Please Online Reference
This wonderful online news and reference site evolved out of a popular radio quiz show in 1938, becoming an annual almanac in 1947, and finally debuting on the Internet in 1998. Authoritative answers to all kinds of factual questions are found here, as well as special features for kids, parents, and teachers.
http://www.infoplease.com

Library of Congress
With over 126 million items on approximagely 530 miles of bookshelves, the U.S. Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and one of our country's most valuable and complete sources of information on American and world history and culture. Since its establishment in 1800 as a legislative library, it has grown into a national institution committed to serving Congress and the American people and collecting and preserving a universal store of knowledge for future generations.
http://www.loc.gov

Maine Historical Society
Collecting and preserving Maine's past since 1822, the Maine Historical Society offers a substantial compilation of resources for researching the state's and the nation's history and tracing your New England family roots.
http://www.mainehistory.org

Maine Official State Web Site
This site offers links to state agencies and services, local news, government, and resident and visitor information for the state of Maine.
http://www.state.me.us

Maine State Library
Maine's state library provides all citizens and visitors with access to its information and services. This site offers an online form for help with reference questions on Maine-related topics.
http://www.state.me.us/msl

Making of America
A collaborative effort of the libraries at Cornell University and the University of Michigan, “Making of America” is a robust digital collection of primary sources in American social history, from the antebellum period through reconstruction. The digitized pages of 19th century books and journals preserved here, such as The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's New Monthly Magazine, and Scientific American, are a marvelous resource on this period for researchers in education, psychology, American history, sociology, religion, and science and technology. (Note: this link is to Cornell's contributions to the project, alone; a link on the “About MOA” page accesses the University of Michigan's contributions.)
http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/

Mass Moments
Launched in January 2005 by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, the Mass Moments project is an almanac of Massachusetts history presented through daily radio spots and this online companion. The story of a different event or person(s) of note in the Bay State's colorful past is read each day on participating radio stations and explored more fully on the Mass Moments web site, where you'll find background, sources, images and illustrations, and related links for each moment.
http://www.massmoments.org

Massachusetts Historical Society
Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) was essentially the first American historical repository and charged itself with the preservation and documentation of our young nation's history. As other historical institutions were established elsewhere, MHS focused its attention specifically on Massachusetts and New England and the many local contributions to our national heritage. MHS is a major research library and manuscript repository and was the first institution of its kind to publish in its field. Click the “On View” tab to explore the society's digital archives, online curriculum, and web exhibitions.
http://www.masshist.org

New Hampshire Historical Society
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society exists to answer your questions about the state's past and present. Of note are the Society's innovative educational programs, including a fun lesson plan called the Mills of New Hampshire Challenge, where students study what life was like in the mills of the north during the industrial boom.
http://nhhistory.org

New Hampshire Official State Web Site
This is New Hampshire's online portal to state government, plus resources for residents and visitors on business, tourism, public agencies, and services.
http://www.state.nh.us

New Hampshire State Library
With its beginnings in 1717, the New Hampshire State Library is generally regarded as the oldest such institution in the United States. Tap into its vast assortment of online databases and informational resources on New Hampshire history, demographics, politics, and so on.
http://www.state.nh.us/nhsl

Rhode Island Historical Society
Rhode Island's historical society investigates and celebrates the Ocean State's unique history. Tracing its origin to 1822, the society is the nation's fourth oldest of its kind. Included in its many, varied collections are manuscripts from the days of European settlement and the first television news archives established by a U.S. historical society.
http://www.rihs.org

Rhode Island Online (official state web site)
Links to state officials, agencies, and other public information and resources are found on Rhode Island's official web site.
http://www.state.ri.us

Rhode Island State Library
Established in 1852, Rhode Island State Library renders research assistance to members of the state's General Assembly. The library also is open to the public, and staff members may be contacted by email for guidance in researching state facts and history.
http://www.sec.state.ri.us/library/

Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.)
Born of English scientist James Smithson's mysterious bequest of his fortune to the United States for the founding of an institution for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge,” the Smithsonian has evolved into the world's largest museum complex and the home of the U.S. national collections in natural and American history, air and space, and the fine and decorative arts, among others. Get lost in the myriad online exhibits, publications, and education programs. A multitude of resources are provided here for kids, teachers, and the “average Joe” on almost any subject!
http://www.si.edu

State of Connecticut (official state web site)
This site is Connecticut's online access to state government, business, and tourism information.
http://www.ct.gov/

State of Vermont Official Web Site
This site is the Green Mountain State's official portal for government, community, and public information. It features useful Vermont history links and entertaining and educational kids pages.
http://vermont.gov

The History of Costume
Printed as a book from 1861 to 1880 by the German publishing firm of Braun and Schneider, The History of Costume, preserved digitally on this site, is a collection of plates illustrating historical dress, from antiquity to the late 19th century. This wonderful study of period fashions will make you glad you live in the age of spandex, business casual, and denim for all occasions. An excellent source for costume designers and students of fashion history, and a fun look back at the styles of centuries past for us all.
http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/history.html

The State Library of Massachusetts
The official depository for Massachusetts state documents, the State Library of Massachusetts has also served as a multifaceted information resource for legislators, state employees, historians, genealogists, and interested citizens since 1826.
http://www.state.ma.us/lib

The White House
Official speeches, press releases, national news briefs, and current policy statements on issues of national import are all available here. In addition, the site offers biographical information on U.S. Presidents and First Ladies, past and present, current and historical information about our nation's top office, the President's cabinet, all branches of the Federal Government, and the White House itself.
http://www.whitehouse.gov

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS is the Federal Government's premier fact-finding agency on the subject of labor economics and statistics. Objective, comprehensive, and timely surveys and analyses of the social and economic conditions of our nation and its workers and families produce valuable data with which to measure the state of our national economy. An incredible source of important information is available here to the general public.
http://www.bls.gov

U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is the country's leading source of demographic data on the U.S. population and its economy, and most information is accessible through this Internet homepage.
http://www.census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau Kids' Corner
The U.S. Census Bureau helps kids understand why counting counts with its Kids' Corner page. Also featured are fun and interesting facts about each state individually and the country as a whole, as well as interactive quizzes based on Census data.
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/kids/kids.html

University of Virginia Geostat Center Historical Census Data Browser
Derived from the U.S. Decennial Census, this easy-to-use browser on the University of Virginia Geospatial and Statistical Data Center's site provides access to population and economic data for U.S. states and counties from 1790 to 1960. Data sets become more sophisticated in later decades, supplementing basic population counts and information on race, gender, and household size with other variables, including ancestry, literacy, and income.
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/

Vermont Department of Libraries (state library agency)
Vermont's Department of Libraries, acting as the state library agency, has responsibility for coordinating and promoting resource sharing and access to information in Vermont. Peruse this site for information on state government, history, statistics, even Vermont ski conditions (seasonal).
http://dol.state.vt.us

Vermont Historical Society
The only institution to collect artifacts and documents that represent the history of the entire stateevery distinct area and every time period the Vermont Historical Society has been serving its community since 1838. Read or search the scholarly journal, Vermont History, or view the Faces of Vermont online exhibit on this comprehensive web site.
http://www.vermonthistory.org

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Heritage Harbor Museum (Providence, RI)
Still under construction, the new Heritage Harbor Museum and its accompanying web site promise to highlight all the different cultures and communities of Rhode Island and showcase their contributions to the state's history. Slated for a phased opening beginning in December 2005, the museum will be the first New England affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and seeks to act as an interactive living textbook integrated into the school curriculum.
http://www.heritageharbor.org

Museum of Work and Culture (Woonsocket, RI)
Thet story of French Canadian immigrants who settled in Woonsocket and worked in its factories and mills is depicted in the Museum of Work and Culture's walk-through displays, interactive presentations, and collection of photographs. Focus is placed on the rise of the American working class and the transformation of immigrants to Americans.
http://www.woonsocket.org/workandculture.htm

Rhode Island Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Rhode Island.
http://www.2chambers.com/rhode2.htm

Rhode Island Historical Society
Rhode Island's historical society investigates and celebrates the Ocean State's unique history. Tracing its origin to 1822, the society is the nation's fourth oldest of its kind. Included in its many, varied collections are manuscripts from the days of European settlement and the first television news archives established by a U.S. historical society.
http://www.rihs.org

Rhode Island Online (official state web site)
Links to state officials, agencies, and other public information and resources are found on Rhode Island's official web site.
http://www.state.ri.us

Rhode Island State Library
Established in 1852, Rhode Island State Library renders research assistance to members of the state's General Assembly. The library also is open to the public, and staff members may be contacted by email for guidance in researching state facts and history.
http://www.sec.state.ri.us/library/

State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation - Division of Banking
The state of Rhode Island's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.dbr.state.ri.us/divisions/banking/

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American Precision Museum (Windsor, VT)
Preserving the heritage of the mechanical arts and the history of the machine tool industry, both in New England and elsewhere in the country, is Vermont's American Precision Museum (APM). As the repository for the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation, the APM aptly illustrates the importance of precision manufacturing to the development of communication technology, transportation, sanitation, medical care, and just about every aspect of our lives. Visit the online “machine tool hall of fame” to learn about the leading figures in this industry's growth and development.
http://www.americanprecision.org

Center for Technology in Learning
SRI International's Center for Technology in Learning conducts research on how to use technologies effectively to support learning. A resource for teachers.
http://www.sri.com/policy/ctl/

Charles River Museum of Industry (Waltham, MA)
A great museum that explores the past, present, and future of the Machine Age, studies the history of industry and technology, and seeks to inspire future innovations in science and technology through its educational events and exhibits. Get a taste for the museum's offerings on a virtual reality tour of its first floor.
http://www.crmi.org/

Computer History Museum (Mountain View, CA)
Chronicling the past and ongoing history of the information age is the mission of the Computer History Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of computer-related artifacts, documents and photographs. Delve into the evolution of the Internet, the microprocessor, and computers in general via detailed timelines; wander the museum's on-line Hall of Fellows to meet some of the key contributors to our current state of technology; or search the digitized database of artifacts (most collections will eventually be available on-line). Well worth a virtual visit.
http://www.computerhistory.org

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
Founded by New Hampshire inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, FIRST seeks to excite young people's interest in science, technology, and engineering, and motivate them to pursue careers in those fields. FIRST designs innovative programs and sponsors competitions to build children's skills, self-confidence, and knowledge in science, and inspire their creativity. Check out the opportunities on this web site.
http://www.usfirst.org

Funding A Revolution: Government Support for Computing Research (Historical Review)
This online version of the National Academy Press's report titled Funding A Revolution: Government Support for Computing Research examines the fascinating history of computing and the development of communications technology, with a focus on the federal government's prominent role in funding research and helping launch the computer revolution.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6323#toc

How Stuff Works
Ever wonder how some of our most prized gizmos and gadgets—stuff like cell phones, personal organizers, and portable music players—actually work? How about the workings of more complex things like our system of currency, or spyware on our personal computers, or even Botox on our premature wrinkles? How Stuff Works explains all these mysteries and virtually any others you can ponder on subjects such as computers, electronics, science, health, and money. Try this useful and entertaining reference site, and while you're there, check out the article on “How the Fed Works.”
http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Invent Now
This is a great, FLASH-only web site that celebrates and stimulates the American spirit of invention. Browse the National Inventors Hall of Fame to meet the forward-thinking women and men responsible for the great technological advances of our time and times past; check out creative educational programs and competitions for grade-school and college students; or take an on-line workshop on how to patent.
http://www.invent.org

Lemelson-MIT: Invention Dimension
The kid in each of us will appreciate MIT's creative and wacky approach to learning about inventions. Everything from games and trivia, to inventor profiles and resources, to patent guidelines is covered in this fun ,“inventive” site.
http://web.mit.edu/invent/invent-main.html

Mom Inventors
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” and this web site helps her find the information, resources, and support she'll need to bring her good ideas to market. Founded by one of its own in 2003, Mom Inventors is a company that produces and sells products made by and for moms. More important, however, is the unique online community that this company's web site provides—specifically geared to creative, problem-solving moms—offering access to expert help with everything from patenting, prototyping, and manufacturing, to marketing. Mom inventors also learn from each other's shared experiences.
http://www.mominventors.com

Museum of Science (Boston, MA)
With a mission to stimulate interest in and promote understanding of science and technology, Boston's world-reknown Museum of Science remains on the cutting edge of science education with interactive exhibits and programs that both educate and entertain.
http://www.mos.org

Rothschild Petersen Patent Model Museum (Cazenovia, NY)
Model enthusiasts, history buffs, and the general public will enjoy browsing the on-line home of the world's largest privately-owned collection of U.S. patent models, spanning the American Industrial Revolution. Learn the history of these marvelous “working” miniatures, once required of American inventors with their patent submissions. Until the collection finds a permanent physical home in a national patent model museum (owner Alan Rothschild's dream), visit this site to view a sampling of these small wonders, read articles about the collection, and find out where some of the models are being exhibited on loan.
http://www.patentmodel.org/

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Kids' Primer
On the award-winning kids' pages of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office web site is this informative primer on the who, what, when, how, and why of patents, trademarks and copyrights, presented in kid-friendly fashion. From here, jump to the other USPTO kids pages featuring games, contests, and the patent, trademark, and copyright time machine.
http://www.uspto.gov/go/kids/kidprimer.html

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Enterprising Women: 250 Years of American Business
This web site is an extension of a national exhibit about some of the fascinating women who helped shape the landscape of American business over the past few centuries. The trials and triumphs of this diverse group of women inventors, innovators, and trendsetters is told through a “stories quilt,” where you'll find biographies of each. Resources for educators on how to use exhibit content in lessons, games that test historical knowledge and entrepreneurial savvy, and a section where contemporary businesswomen can help today's aspiring entrepreneurs by sharing their own “stories” are among the highlights.
http://www.radcliffe.edu/schles/exhibits/enterprisingwomen/index.html

History of Women's Suffrage (Susan B. Anthony Center)
This page of the Susan B. Anthony Center for Women's Leadership site at the University of Rochester describes succintly the history of women's suffrage. A deeper study of the movement, its champions, and key events leading to the ultimate passage of the 19th amendment can be undertaken through links provided here.
http://www.rochester.edu/SBA/suffragehistory.html

The U.S. Department of Labor Bicentennial History of the American Worker
An interesting and readable history of U.S. economic development, with a focus on labor. This DOL publication describes how the nature of work and working conditions have changed over time, discusses workers' efforts to organize to secure improvements in compensation and working conditions, and profiles key figures in the labor movement. It contains numerous references to developments in New England.
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/amworkerintro.htm

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American Precision Museum (Windsor, VT)
Preserving the heritage of the mechanical arts and the history of the machine tool industry, both in New England and elsewhere in the country, is Vermont's American Precision Museum (APM). As the repository for the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation, the APM aptly illustrates the importance of precision manufacturing to the development of communication technology, transportation, sanitation, medical care, and just about every aspect of our lives. Visit the online “machine tool hall of fame” to learn about the leading figures in this industry's growth and development.
http://www.americanprecision.org

Shelburne Museum (Shelburne, VT)
Our nation's history interpreted through art, Americana, architecture, and artifacts in this museum's eclectic displays and collections. Counted among the Shelburne's rich variety of holdings are 25 19th-century structures, including a covered bridge, a round barn, and a lighthouse. Take a virtual tour of this delightful museum!
http://www.shelburnemuseum.org

State of Vermont Banking Division
The state of Vermont's regulatory agency over financial institutions and services.
http://www.bishca.state.vt.us/banking/banking-division

State of Vermont Official Web Site
This site is the Green Mountain State's official portal for government, community, and public information. It features useful Vermont history links and entertaining and educational kids pages.
http://vermont.gov

Vermont Chambers of Commerce
Directory of chambers of commerce in Vermont.
http://www.2chambers.com/vermont2.htm

Vermont Council on Economic Education
Working with the National Council on Economic Education to fight economic illiteracy, the Vermont Council promotes students' understanding of basic concepts and principles that will empower them as future participants in the local, national, and global economies. It does this by reinforcing the front lines—its teachers— with workshops, courses, and other training in economics and how to teach it. Check out the offerings for Vermont educators here.
http://www.bsad.uvm.edu/Research/Partnerships/VCEE/default.htm

Vermont Department of Libraries (state library agency)
Vermont's Department of Libraries, acting as the state library agency, has responsibility for coordinating and promoting resource sharing and access to information in Vermont. Peruse this site for information on state government, history, statistics, even Vermont ski conditions (seasonal).
http://dol.state.vt.us

Vermont Historical Society
The only institution to collect artifacts and documents that represent the history of the entire state every distinct area and every time period the Vermont Historical Society has been serving its community since 1838. Read or search the scholarly journal, Vermont History, or view the Faces of Vermont online exhibit on this comprehensive web site.
http://www.vermonthistory.org