History & Social Science

Virginia is rich in history boasting many historical sites and museums that can help bring history to life for your child. Click the links below to access resources to use at home, or to schedule an exciting trip to a Virginia historical site.  

Online Resources 

• CommonLit: Collection of fiction and nonfiction texts. The grade-level reading ranges are noted, and texts are arranged by theme. 
• DKFindout!: Resources are categorized by topic and include visually appealing, interactive reading passages. 
• Encyclopedia Virginia: Resources to support exploration and investigation of local history across Virginia. Virtual tours and a variety of primary sources are included. 
• KidCitizen: Interactive video episodes for K-5. Students explore Congress and Civic Engagement through work with primary source photographs. 
• Library of Congress Teacher's Guides and Analysis Tool: The Primary Source Analysis Tool is designed to help students analyze any primary source and record their responses and reactions to that source. The tool can be downloaded and used electronically or printed and completed by hand. 
• Readworks: Reading passages sorted by topic, grade level (K-12), and reading level. Audio resources and activities are included. 
• Smithsonian's History Explorer: History passages from the Smithsonian. Filter by grade level, era, and source type. 
• Smithsonian Learning Lab: Searchable digital collections of museum artifacts and tools designed to help students with projects and activities at home. Tips for parents are included. 
• StoryCorps: Recorded stories from a range of people on a variety of topics. Search by state, topic, and/or year. 
• Youth Leadership Initiative: Civics resources and activities for middle and high school students 
• Documents of American History (PDF) – text of the Constitution of Virginia, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States of America with Amendments and the Virginia Charters 

Historical Sites and Museums 

• Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia:  1290 Richmond Road, Staunton, VA 24401

•  Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello:  1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902

• Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest:  1776 Poplar Forest Parkway, Lynchburg, VA 24502

• National D-Day Memorial:  3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA 24523

• Appomattox Court House National Historical Park:  111 National Park Drive, Appomattox, VA 24522

• Robert Russa Moton Museum:  900 Griffin Boulevard, Farmville, VA 23901

• Booker T. Washington National Monument and Park: 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway, Hardy, VA 24101

• Virginia State Capitol – A National Historic Landmark: 1000 Bank Street, Richmond, VA 23218

• George Mason’s Gunston Hall – Home of American Rights: 10709 Gunston Road, Lorton, VA 22079

• Jamestown–Yorktown Foundation – Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown: 2110 Jamestown Road, Route 31 S., Williamsburg, 23185

• Virginia Holocaust Museum: 2000 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23223

• Colonial Williamsburg: 101 Visitor Ctr Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185

• George Washington's Mount Vernon: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway,
  Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

• James Madison's Montpelier: 11350 Constitution Hwy, Montpelier Station, VA 22957

• James Monroe's Highland: 2050 James Monroe Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Museums for All

Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,200 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card. Find a participating museum near you or browse our full list of participating museums.