Local History in the Classroom: Connecting Community & Curriculum

A brief guide to linking local history & community heritage to curriculum topics.,focusing on the Mid-Hudson area of New York State, by S. Gardner 2023

EXPLORING HISTORICAL MAPS

In conjunction with historical markers and current maps, old maps of your town can be explored to find history that connects to curriculum:

Place names
Person names
Transportation corridors
Terrain & Natural Resources
Older structures

QUESTIONS:

Who lived here?
What businesses were here?
SCIENCE: What can I guess about the environment, or impacts on the environment?
Are there any place names that are derived from Munsee Lenape or other Native American words?
Causality: Can you see anything that affected how our community is today?

Selected Mid-Hudson Historical Maps

These are a few of the many scanned historical maps available; also look for just the name of your community.

Orange County Atlas, 1875
Atlas showing historical maps of towns in Orange County with property owner names, etc.
Atlas of the Hudson River Valley from David Rumsey Coll. 1891
Scanned historical maps of towns along the Hudson showing property owner names, features, etc.
Dutchess County Historical Maps Guide
Links from the LDS.
Orange County Historical Maps Guide
Ulster County Historical Maps Guide
From the LDS.
Historic Sites of Orange County (Composite)
Map created in 1935
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
If you live in a village or heavily populated area, chances are the Sanborn company drew maps that show what buildings and industries were where, as a way to assess fire risk. Lots of details! STEM: Technology & Environment.
Lenape Language Groups

Native American Groups of the Hudson Valley
Drawn by Native American educator Evan Pritchard. Accessed at: https://www.vizettes.com/kt/upstateny-history/ny-na/upstate-local-sites.htm

Local History in the Classroom: Connecting Community & Curriculum

EXPLORING HISTORICAL MAPS

Selected Mid-Hudson Historical Maps

ACTIVITIES & LESSONS