Public libraries are invited to apply for Revisiting the Founding Era, a nationwide project that will use historical documents to spark public conversations about the Founding Era’s enduring ideas and themes and how they continue to influence our lives today.
Revisiting the Founding Era is a project of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in collaboration with ALA and the National Constitution Center. The project is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Up to 100 U.S. public libraries will be selected to host programs related to the American Revolution and the early years of the nation. Participating libraries will receive:
- 10 copies of a 100-page reader containing selected documents from the lauded Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in U.S. history
- $1,000 to help implement discussion groups and other public programs
- Training, resources and support
Libraries, working in collaboration with scholars, local experts and others, will be asked to implement at least three public programs for adult and teen audiences. Topics may include the rights of citizens versus the rights of government; who is “we the people?”; and decision-making and taking action.
Read the full project guidelines and apply online by January 31, 2018. Public libraries serving rural or underserved communities are especially encouraged to apply.
Revisiting the Founding Era will be administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office.
