Published by:
This lesson uses primary documents to trace the life of Littleton, an enslaved man who helped build the Old Patent Office Building. By using wills, ledgers, and other documents, students will build Littleton's biography. His life story invites us to consider the Antebellum period in American history (1832-1861) from a rarely considered perspective—that of an enslaved man. Littleton's life is emblematic of vast numbers of enslaved men whose likenesses and histories have gone unrecorded.
This Learning Lab collection has been created in conjunction with the Learning to Look Summer Teacher Institute hosted by the National Portrait Gallery July 2024. This collection highlights the work of Michael Hussey, Director of History and Research at the National Portrait Gallery…
Building Biography with Primary Sources: Littleton's Life Story
- Published by:
- National Portrait Gallery
- Created by:
- Nicole Vance
- Date Published
- July 08, 2024
- Last Modified
- July 08, 2024
- Description
-
This lesson uses primary documents to trace the life of Littleton, an enslaved man who helped build the Old Patent Office Building. By using wills, ledgers, and other documents, students will build Littleton's biography. His life story invites us to consider the Antebellum period in American history (1832-1861) from a rarely considered perspective—that of an enslaved man. Littleton's life is emblematic of vast numbers of enslaved men whose likenesses and histories have gone unrecorded.
This Learning Lab collection has been created in conjunction with the Learning to Look Summer Teacher Institute hosted by the National Portrait Gallery July 2024. This collection highlights the work of Michael Hussey, Director of History and Research at the National Portrait Gallery.
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