As part of an ongoing unit in U.S. Political History, yesterday the entire eighth grade visited Mount Vernon and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Tours at Mount Vernon focused on the experience of enslaved people who lived there, as well as the life of George Washington and his family. Students participated in a moving ceremony at the Slave Memorial and Cemetery where they read aloud the names of several people who were enslaved there and helped lay a wreath at the memorial site.

The visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial allowed students to experience another important memorial in the DC area. There, they visited the memorial itself, the Three Servicemen Statue, and the memorial to women who died in the war. A guided worksheet helped students to reflect on the experience of visiting both sites.

This field trip is part of a project students are undertaking to create a memorial proposal to remember the contributions of enslaved people in building American wealth and influence. As part of the Pulitzer Center's 1619 Project Education Network, several Holton teachers are helping to contribute to how this vital history is taught. We look forward to seeing students' proposals next week!

View photos from the field trip on Vidigami.