PROJECT SUMMARY: History United is a community coalition that works to develop an inclusive history of the Dan River Region. Based in Danville, History United is currently financed and housed by the Danville Regional Foundation and works in conjunction with key partners and citizens in the communities of Caswell County, North Carolina, and Pittsylvania County and Danville, Virginia.
The Dan River region is rich with historical resources and individuals who feel strongly about the community’s history. History United does not seek to duplicate the work of these institutions or individuals, but to coordinate with them to best utilize their resources while incorporating new stories to the greater historical narrative of the region.
History United is sponsoring a new competition for middle grades students to inspire a sense of community agency, involvement, and understanding. Finding Our Roots: Food, Family, and History in the Dan River Region invites teams of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to create media-based interpretations of key sites in the Dan River Region. Modeled after the History Harvest, each team will collect primary source documents, engage community leaders, and produce projects that contribute to an understanding of the area. Winners will be named in each category, and these three teams will take an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to tour key historical museums and sites.
KEY TIMELINE
Orientation meeting: January 6, 2016
Start of competition: January 11, 2016
Notice of Intent to Participate due: Febuary 1, 2016
Online Technology Support Trainings: TBA
Finding Our Roots event: April 23, 2016
Final Submissions due: May 13, 2016 by 5:00pm EST
FUNDING & SUPPORT: Funding was made possible by the Danville Regional Foundation and History United.