University of Virginia
Hearts at Home: Southern Women in the Civil War
Uses primary sources to document the role of Southern women in the Civil War.
Library of Congress
Loc: Music in America Civil War Music
A set of primary sources having to do with music during the Civil War. Analysis tools and teacher guides are included.
Other
Pdm: The Music of the American Civil War
A compilation of music from the Civil War era, including patriotic songs, songs of the homefront, as well as battlefield songs. Hear the songs and read the lyrics from "The Civil War Songbook."
Library of Congress
Loc: The Civil War: The Nation Moves Toward War
Examine the causes of the Civil War using primary source documents. This lesson plan gives background on the Civil War, includes a timeline, and a bibliography for further reading. Primary source documents include music, newspapers,...
University of Pittsburgh
Center for American Music Library: Civil War Homefront
A great lesson plan using Stephen Foster's music and lyrics to show what life was like on the homefront during the Civil War.
Library of Congress
Loc: Band Music From the Civil War Era
Explore band music from the Civil War Period at The Library of Congress website.
Library of Congress
Loc: Sheet Music About Civil War
This resource provides more than 200 sheet music compositions that represent Lincoln, the Civil War and the times. Compiled by the greatest private collector of Lincoln material, Alfred Whital Stern.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Sheet Music, 1850 1920
View 1,300 pieces of sheet music composed by and about African Americans between 1850-1920.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: The Lyrics and Origin of Dixie
This site provides you with the lyrics to the song, Dixie. Also provides a link that explains the origins of the popular Civil War song.
Other
Popular Songs During the Civil War
This website outlines the popular forms of music during the Civil War, which included the songs of the minstrel shows like "Dixie," "Blue Tailed Fly," and "Old Dan Tucker."
Other
National Music Museum: Virtual Tours
Enjoy browsing through this virtual music museum. You will see many different pictures ranging from instruments of the Civil War to former President Bill Clinton's saxophone.
Other
David Holt: The Roots of Mountain Music
This is a short history of the major influences that have combined to create mountain music, one of which is minstrel music. Provides a good decription of minstrel music in general. Includes names and descriptions of specific songs,...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Gettysburg National Military Park: Camp Life
Colorful exhibit showcases the actual artifacts used by the Civil War soldiers at Gettysburg. View their camp materials, clothing, equipment, and personal items. Also, like soldiers of all wars, long hours passed when they were not...
Brown University
Brown University Library: African American Sheet Music: James Bland
This website is an excellent source for information on James Bland and his music. Includes images of his sheet music, complete with notes and links to related information on African-American music and popular music from the post-Civil...
Other
Minstrel Show: Contribution to Folk Music
Interesting essay page on the influence of minstrel shows on folk music. Provides historical connections and is accessible for research purposes.
Other
Internet Cello Society: Portrait of Pablo Casals
A biography of the famous Spanish cellist, Pablo Casals. Of particular interest is the outstanding courage he displayed during the Spanish Civil War.
Library of Congress
Loc: America Singing: Nineteenth Century Song Sheets
Song sheets, which containedonly lyrics, were a popular form of printed music. The Library of Congress holds over 4,000 of these from the 1800s that can be viewed online.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Drum Corps Tryout
See if you can march to the beat of your own drum and try out for a Drum Corps. When the falling letter hits the drum, press the matching key.
A&E Television
History.com: Tailgating: How the Pre Game Tradition Can Be Traced to Ancient Times
The ritual grew as ownership of automobiles and then mass production of portable grills and plastic coolers soared. Tailgating before college and professional football games is an American tradition. Temporary tent cities pop up in...
Library of Congress
Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry
Explore eighteen American songs and poems each represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
Other
Stephen Collins Foster: American Dreams
This site provides a wealth of information about the American songwriter, Stephen Foster. This link leads you to the biographical information which is divided into five sections: beginnings, his life's work, the legend, the problems, and...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Minstrel Show
An in-depth look at minstrel shows is found in this encyclopedia article from Wikipedia. The site discusses the origins and rise in popularity during the Civil War, how the shows were structured in three different parts, typical stock...
Other
Auw St. Lawrence County Branch: Women of Courage
Learn what it means to have courage by examining the lives of women who "Were pioneers in their fields, which included education, medicine, art, politics, and music." This page includes biographies of several women including scientist...
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