Educational Resources

Bibliographies

The Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission (MCWSC) makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, timeliness or applicability for a particular purpose of any information contained in the books or other materials listed within these bibliographies. The MCWSC also makes no endorsement or recommendation of the materials or the opinions expressed in them. These bibliographies are provided solely as a means of access for your convenience.

Educational Programs

  • Civil War Archives Alive!

    Civil War Archives Alive! is a history-based, interactive theatrical performance for fourth and fifth grade students that explores how the Civil War affected civilian and soldier alike in Missouri.  Students gain a greater understanding of the Civil War, Missouri’s role as a border state, the impact of guerilla fighting on ordinary people, the role slavery played in the state’s culture and economy, and famous Civil War personalities and battles in Missouri.  These forty minute performances, sponsored by the Friends of the Missouri State Archives, Hawthorn Bank, Missouri Arts Council, State Historical Society of Missouri's Richard S. Brownlee Fund, and the Eldon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution take place at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City.  Performances are free of charge, but reservations are required.  For more information, please visit www.sos.mo.gov/archives/education/alive.asp.

  • A Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier and Packing for the Trail

    These Missouri State Museum outreach programs are designed to focus on fourth and fifth grade students, but “A Day in the Life of a Civil War Soldier” can be modified for any age bracket, children or adults. Please call (573) 751-2854 if you are interested in one of these programs.

  • Eugene Field House Traveling Touch Trunk

    The Eugene Field House & St. Louis Toy Museum’s Traveling Touch Trunk was created in conjunction with the Urban Museum Collaborative and is available as either a trunk to be checked out by teachers or as an outreach with staff bringing the trunk to the classroom. Combining the many themes of the museum, the touch trunk combines objects and curriculum, including highlights on Roswell Field’s role as Dred Scott’s attorney prior to the Civil War. For more information, call (314) 421-4689.

  • Life in the 1860s

    The Gray Campbell Farmstead’s program provides fifth grade students in the Springfield, Missouri area with a chance to see what life was like in the 1860s, including a tour of the house and cemetery, cooking lesson, music, and storytelling. For more information on the program and its availability to other ages or groups, please visit www.graycampbellfarmstead.org/id3.html.

  • Ready, Aim, Fire

    The Missouri State Museum's Civil War "Nerf" cannon program is often available at statewide events. Call or e-mail the museum at (573) 751-2854 or DSP.State.Museum@dnr.mo.gov to obtain dates and locations.

  • Ulysses S. Grant and the Civil War

    The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site provides this program for grades 5, 8, and 11. Through pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activities students learn about the issue of slavery and Grant's role in winning the war for the Union and ending slavery. Perceptions of Grant during and after the war are explored and students have the opportunity to discuss different perspectives about him. For more information, please call (314) 842-1867.

Exhibits

Lesson Plans

The Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission collaborated with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Missouri History Museum, and the Missouri Council for History Education to develop this lesson plan archive. If you have any questions or comments about the curricula, please e-mail commemoratemocivilwar@dnr.mo.gov.

Primary Sources

Resource Packet

The Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission contacted a variety of Civil War-related historic sites, records repositories, and organizations in order to compile brochures, pamphlets, newsletter articles, maps, and other print materials from around the state into a single resource file for use in the classroom. Teachers can request this free "one-stop shop" for all of the state's basic Civil War-related information by e-mailing commemoratemocivilwar@dnr.mo.gov.

Teacher’s Guides

Videos

Additional Resources