For the past year, members of the Castine Historical Society’s staff and Education Committee met to plan a new pilot learning unit for the Adams School 7th/8th grade class taught by Kalista Farmer. This pilot unit used the history of Castine’s African and African American residents to look at broader issues such as slavery in New England and the South, Abolition, the Underground Railroad, and life for free Blacks in New England.
The Historical Society asked Georgia Zildjian, an Education Committee member who is also on the Adams School staff, to write and present the five-week learning unit for this fall term. Zildjian designed the unit to allow students to explore sites in Castine, use primary documents at the Castine Historical Society, and learn from community experts.
The culminating project for the class will be presented at a free afternoon event. Students will present their research and findings to the public and light refreshments will be served. Attendees are encouraged to either bring non-perishable food items or a monetary donation that will be donated to H.O.M.E. in Orland.
