History Detectives - Learn about Early American History

The Fenton History Center invites all students in grades 4-7 who are interested in social studies and history to come to the new History Detectives program. History Detectives meet the last Saturday of the month from 1-3 PM at the Fenton Mansion. session will introduce more fascinating information and artifacts from our local history.

The cost is only $8 per student. Bring a friend for half price. This is one in a series of nine sessions per year. The group will not meet in August or December. Depending on the topic of the month, the students will host guest speakers and take field trips to other significant places in the area. They will study artifacts from the time periods being discussed.

For more information and to register please call 716-664-6256 or email information@fentonhistorycenter.org. The Fenton History Center is located just south of the Washington St. bridge (Route 60S)

Sessions include:

April 28: Johns Adams (President 1797-1801)

Adams served as a Diplomat and Ambassador during Washington's presidency. His wife, Abigail, was one of the most learned of the First Ladies. The Adamses were the first President and Mrs. President to live in the unfinished White House (then called the President's House.) We will be checking out some of the inventions during this presidency including the first propeller-driven submarine built by Robert Fulton in 1799.

May 26: Thomas Jefferson (President 1801-1809) - 1st term

We will be looking at Jefferson's life before and during the Revolutionary War, his roles during Washington's presidency, and as Vice-President for John Adams. Jefferson's wife had died many years before he became President, so Dolly Madison, wife of his Vice-President, served as the official hostess during the Jefferson presidency. The Louisiana Purchase took place during his first term. The United States purchased all the Louisianan teriitory from France for $15 million (3 cents an acre.)

June 30: Thomas Jefferson (President 1801-1809) - 2nd term

During this term, the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806) explored the Louisiana Territory west of the Mississippi all the way to the Pacific Coast. Other topics covered will be Monticello and Poplar Forest, his other farm, as well as several naval incidents involving Barbary pirates(!) off the coast of North Africa and the British HMS Leopard firing on the USS Chesapeake in American waters!

July 28: James Madison (President 1809-1817)

Madison wrote many of the "Federalist Papers" and served as Jefferson's Secretary of State before being elected President. This was a troubled time for the young nation. The United States declared war on Britain in 1812 (the War of 1812), Bristish troops captured and burned much of Washington, DC (including the White House) in 1814, and American troops led by Andrew Jackson defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans. Follow First Lady Dolley Madison from her early life in a Quaker settlement in North Carolina to her marriage as a young widow to Congressman Madison of Virginia. Then join this charming hostess for tea in the White House just months before she was forced to flee the attacking British forces invading Washington! She even managed to save some of its treasures, most notably a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, for future generations.

August

No monthly program for our History Detectives. Join us for our annual Summer Camp, August 13-17. This year's theme is "From Stage to Talkies". Download registration form