60 Websites on Colonial America: 1607-1776

I always enjoyed learning about early American history. It was one of those classes where I felt transported to another time where life was so different (yet simple) compared to today. This time in particular, 1607-1776, our nation was coming into its own, with the forming of the thirteen colonies and the eventual Declaration of Independence. If you teach this subject, I hope you'll find these resources helpful.

10 Interactive 13 Colonies Maps- from Mr. Nussbaum's site

13 Originals: Founding the American Colonies

A to Z Teacher Stuff- lesson plans and printables on colonial America

America During the Age of the Revolution- timeline covers 1764-1775

American Memory- photographs, manuscripts. rare books, maps, recorded sound and movies

The American Revolution- interactive lessons for K-8

American Revolution Resources- from the Library of Congress

The American Revolution and its Era- maps and charts of North America and the West Indies

The American Revolution Center- "a living memorial to the American Revolution and its enduring legacy."

American Revolution Crossword Puzzle- from New York Times Learning Network

American Revolution Timeline

America's Story- children's site from the Library of Congress

Archiving Early America- primary source materials include portraits from original newspapers, maps, writings, and music.

The Battle of Bunker Hill- Massachusetts Historical Society's web exhibition

Ben Franklin and His Inventions

Betsy Ross: Her Life-biography of the woman who sewed the American flag

Biographies of the Founding Fathers

The Boston Tea Party, 1773

Chart of the Thirteen Original Colonies- from About.com

Civil Rights News and Information- i.e. affirmative action, hate crimes, voting rights etc.

Colonial America Rare Maps Collection

Colonial America Resources- lessons and printables cover grades K-12

Colonial Currency

Colonial House- Behind the scenes of this PBS movie, with lesson plans, audio and video and a section of resources.

Colonial Life in Early America- from Kid info; covers clothing, currency, economy, education and much more

Colonial Newspapers

Colonial Williamsburg- official site

Colonization and Settlement- resources form the Library of Congress

Daily Life in the Colonies- from the PBS website, Liberty! The American Revolution.

The Declaration of Independence

Digital History- extensive site has multimedia, primary sources, historic newspapers, interactive time line and so much more!

Early America's Digital Archive- covers 1492-1820

Eyewitness to History -history through eyes of the ones who lived it


Fifty States- this site allows you to access the home page for each state, including the state bird, tree, flower, flag, car license plate and state song.

Historical Documents- University of Oklahoma College of Law's site contains documents from pre-colonial times to the present. Also has a guide to American flags.

History of Jamestown

Mapping Colonial New England: Looking at the Landscape- from NEH

The Mayflower Compact

Mayflower History- includes Pilgrim history, the Mayflower passenger list, Mayflower genealogy


NeoK12- quizzes and videos on the American Revolution

An Outline of American History- first chapter is on colonial America

Paul Revere Virtual Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum- explains the Pilgrim story, including Thanksgiving

The Real Pocahontas- compares the real Pocahontas with the movie character

Revolutionary War Animated

Revolutionary War Biographies

The Road to Independence Simulation- webquest written by students

Salem Witch Hunt- interactive from National Geographic

Salem Witch Museum

Salem Witch Trials- biographical information

Salem Witch Trials-documents and participants

Teacher Guide to the American Colonies- TeAchnology's

TeacherVision- printables and lessons on colonial America; covers grades K-12

United States History Timeline- covers all years, including a timeline of the American Revolution

United States Newspapers- covers 1700s; from the Library of Congress collection

Virtual Jamestown-  ongoing teaching and learning project

Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution

What Do You Think Ben Meant?- words of wisdom from Ben Franklin

Witches and Witchcraft in New England and Salem- list of resources from About.com

Words and Deeds in American History- chronological listing

Library of Congress Has So Much to Offer Teachers!

A few summers ago, I took a wonderful course called Teaching Information Literacy Using Primary Sources.Using The Library of Congress' American Memory Collection, I was exposed to an incredible amount of information, including photos, maps, journals, audio tapes and videos. The name of the course has recently changed, but the content seems to be the same and is still taught by Mary Alice Anderson. Check here if you are interested. This digital collection is constantly evolving, as new items are added all the time. The Library of Congress even has its own YouTube channel.

The teachers' section is filled with classroom materials, (lesson plans, themed resources) professional development, (online modules and more) a section on additional resources, ( slide shows from past LOC events, historic American newspapers, American Memory Timeline and more!) a blog entitled Teaching With the Library of Congress and so much more.

If you haven't checked out the Library of Congress yet, you must find time to explore this amazing resource!!

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The Mission US Multimedia Project

Here's a great site which showcases periods in American History through interactive games. Produced by Thirteen and the Center for Public Broadcasting, Mission US currently has a few missions, with new ones to be added in the future. Grades 5-8 will really enjoy the multimedia experience and teachers will find the online classroom guides very helpful. Registration is free. Thanks to Dodie Ainslie for posting on Twitter!