FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2011        

CONTACT:  Stephanie Skenyon at 603-856-0611 or Brenda French at 603-856-0607

Lincoln Financial Education Outreach Program Served Schools Statewide

CONCORD, NH-The New Hampshire Historical Society's history outreach programs has reached a new group of underserved students in schools with a higher proportion of low-income students thanks to a grant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation.  The Lincoln Financial Education Outreach Program served more than 2,600 students in 36 schools statewide with the Society's classroom-based programs in the last school year.  Teachers chose from among the Society's menu of seven hands-on, artifact-based lessons for the program that best met their needs. 

In addition to visiting classrooms, the Society's educators provided pre- and post-visit lesson plans to complement the outreach programs, giving teachers additional tools to make New Hampshire history more meaningful.  The Lincoln Financial Education Outreach Program extended the Society's resources to schools at no cost, and was designed to help local school districts increase the amount of classroom time devoted to teaching New Hampshire history.

Many students responded with excitement after participating in the outreach programs; many classes wrote thank-you notes to the museum teachers and to Lincoln Foundation. One student from Hallsville School, who received the "New Hampshire at War" program in April wrote:

Dear Lincoln Financial Foundation

      Thank you for bringing in the artifacts. They were very, very cool to see, and feel. That has inspired me to become an explorer when I grow up.

      It was fun to learn new things about the Civil War, and World War II, and the Revolutionary War. I have a great-great-grandfather who fought in World War II. He is 91 years old. World War II was the largest war I know.

      I didn't know much about wars, but when you showed the artifacts I learned more, and more. You taught me so much, it was hard to write it all down. I hope you come back. Thank you again for coming.

Sincerely,

Katelyn

The Lincoln Financial Education Outreach Program, with continuing support from Lincoln Foundation, will extend through the 2011-12 school year. The New Hampshire Historical Society offers school programs on different aspects of New Hampshire history at its museum in Concord and in classrooms throughout the state.  To learn more about the New Hampshire Historical Society's education programs, visit nhhistory.org or contact Director of Education Stephanie Skenyon at 603-856-0611 or sskenyon@nhhistory.org.

Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is the independent nonprofit that saves, preserves, and shares New Hampshire history.  The Society serves thousands of children and adults each year through its museum, research library, educational programs, and award-winning publications.  The Society is not a state-funded agency.  All of its programs and services are made possible by membership dues and contributions.  For more information visit nhhistory.org or call 603-228-6688.

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