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NIAHD-Public History at WM

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NIAHD-Public History at WM

The National Institute of American History & Democracy (NIAHD) is a partnership between William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

We use an interdisciplinary approach to teach about American History, Material Culture, and Public History. NIAHD sponsors the Pre-College Program in American History for high school students; the Program in Material Culture & Public History for W&M's collegiate students, and the Program for Visiting Students from other colleges and universities who would like to enroll at W&M for one semester or one academic year and participate in the MCPH alongside W&M students.

08/28/2026

Buildings! Culture! History! Join NIAHD's Architectural Field School in London this January!

This 4-credit course, jointly sponsored by NIAHD and the Global Education Office in the Reves Center, takes students to the 17th and 18th century Capital of British America to explore the urban, material world through architecture and artifacts and to learn about the social and cultural relationship between London and colonial Virginia.

Guided by architectural historian Dr. Carl Lounsbury and NIAHD Director Dr Julie Richter, students in the program will read original texts from the period, keep a field journal, and visit sites such as Hampton Court Palace and Ben Franklin's House. After completing a fall pre-course (INTR299) at W&M, participants will travel to London from January 6-20 for the field school (HIST406) where the city will become their laboratory.

For further information about W&M Winter Programs visit: studyabroad.wm.edu
For information about the London field School or to apply, visit: https://studyabroad.wm.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10374

08/26/2026

Happy fall semester William & Mary!

Pictured are four fabulous W&M doctoral students teaching for NIAHD's Summer 2026 Pre-College Program in American History. Jessica, Will, Jenna, Zoë - we wish you, and all returning students, a terrific term!

08/20/2026

Join us on Monday!

Catch up with NIAHD faculty, staff, and students; enjoy light refreshments; and learn about what's happening at NIAHD this year.

We look forward to hearing about your summer and sharing information about NIAHD's current courses, fall history labs, and January Architectural Field School in London.

07/31/2026

Thursday brought students a wonderful final day in the field!

219 finished the program with a full day visit at James Madison's Montpelier ()! Students stepped into the world of James Madison where Interpreters Russell Halley and Ayssa Moorman shared the evolution of the home and Madison's role in the framing of the Constitution. Students also learned about the lives of the enslaved people at Montpelier and the complicated web of liberties and resilience that existed at Montpelier.

218 said goodbye to Richmond with their final visit at Hollywood Cemetery () and Evergreen Cemetery. At Hollywood Cemetery, students visited the graves of James Monroe and John Tyler, discussing the legacies of these Virginia presidents. Students also visited the grave of Jefferson Davis, and examined the legacy of the Lost Cause through monuments. At Evergreen Cemetery, students discussed the memory of the Civil War and Reconstruction and the ways in which Black communities wanted to be remembered within the cemetery.

07/30/2026

NIAHD students had a fun penultimate day of site visits!

218 headed back to Richmond, touring the American Civil War Museum (). Students learned about Tredegar Iron Works and the importance of Confederate iron. Students also discussed the signficance of Brown's Island's mu*****ns factory and statues, as well as the Black experience during the war.

219 hopped over to neighboring Yorktown where they visited important revolutionary sites in the town, as well as Redoubts 9 & 10 and surrender field. Students discussed Yorktown as a space of Revolutionary fervor, the battle, and the memory of Yorktown today.

In the afternoon students participated in NIAHD trivia about their site visits and readings, run by our fantastic instructors! In the evening, RTAs Julianna, Ada, and Lorelei hosted meditation, origami, and book binding.

07/29/2026

This Tuesday, students focused on the landscape as history!

219 traveled to Berkeley Plantation (), one of the oldest plantations in Virginia, owned by the Harrison family. Students learned about Benjamin Harrison V, a Virginia founder and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Students also discussed the role of enslaved people in the construction and management of the plantation, as well as the evolution of the space from plantation to dilapidation to museum.

218 headed to Yorktown Battlefield (Colonial National Historical Park ) where students thought about the landscape of the park as a Civil War space. Students visited the Yorktown National Cemetery, Masonic Cemetery, and the Shiloh Church Cemetery. Students discussed Slabtown and the changing landscape during and after the war. Students also discussed the duality of the American Revolution and Civil War in the national park, and how the Civil War is depicted there. Thank you to Rebecca Toy for her interpretation of the area!

In the evening, students participated in a soccer tournament on the Sunken Gardens and a trivia game!

07/28/2026

Monday started our final week with a fun set of site visits!

218 had a full day visiting the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park ()and the Chatham House, discussing the impact of enslaved people in the war itself, the battles that ensused, and the public memory of the Civil War. Huge thanks to Ranger Pete Maugle and Interpreter (and former NIAHD RTA!) Emily Muscolina.

219 returned to Richmond and visited St. John's Church () the oldest church in Richmond. Students discussed Patrick Henry's famous Give Me Liberty speech, given in the church during the Second Virginia Convention in 1774. They learned about the role of and attack on Richmond during the Revolutionary War. Students also discussed and questioned the role of Benedict Arnold. Thank you to John Wilkes and Ranger Bert Dunkerly for their interpretation!

07/27/2026

NIAHD's second weekend was full of adventures!

On Saturday morning, students returned to The Fairfield Foundation () for more archaeological exploration! Students found many exciting artifacts, including pottery shards and many, many bricks. Thank you to Dr. Dave Brown, Sarah Edwards, Grace Lecourt, and Evan Cabral for hosting us both weekends! On Saturday evening, students played soccer and wrapped the night up with a super fun PowerPoint night! On Sunday, students dove into genealogical research with RTA Andrew, and celebrated the start of week three with an amazing karaoke night!

07/25/2026

Friday came with another fun-filled day around Virginia!

219 had a full day at the capitols! In the morning, students visited the colonial capitol in Williamsburg to emphasize the importance of the Williamsburg government and the power structures in the colonial era. In the afternoon, students headed up to Richmond, where they visited the current capitol. Students were given a tour by David Irvin, who discussed the reasons for the capital's move to Richmond and how the physical landscape of the building reflects contemporary values of power.

218 viewed Williamsburg through new eyes, focusing on the Civil War history of the town. Students visited the Williamsburg Earthworks and discussed the development of battlefields, as well as the importance of the town during the Peninsular Campaign. They were able to explore the redoubts and learned about the importance of enslaved and free African Americans in the construction of the redoubts.

Students ended the evening with our second English Country Dancing night, led by Dr. Amy Stallings and assisted by RTA Montgomery!

07/24/2026

This Thursday, students adventured across state lines to learn about history!

218 headed down to Fort Monroe and the Casemate Museum (Fort Monroe National Monument, ), where they learned about the history of the fort and discussed the contraband policy of the Civil War. Students visited the in-progress memorial to the enslaved, which gave them the opportunity to discuss how memorials are designed and reflect historical memory.

219 had a full day, crossing into North Carolina for their site visit! Students spent the morning at Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum (), learning about the history of trade in and around the Great Dismal Swamp. They discussed how waterways were essential to the first American victory in Virginia. In the afternoon, students visited the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, learning about enslaved people and other marginalized individuals who found freedom in the swamp, where they forged new lives for themselves in maroon communities.

Students relaxed in the evening with a lively Smash Bros. tournament and soccer outside.

Address

William & Mary, PO Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA
23187

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17572217652

Website

https://linktr.ee/niahdatwm

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