Virtual Museum Exhibit

You can upload the completed project on Canvas from May 2 – May 8

Project Overview:

For your final project, you will curate a digital museum exhibit centered on a theme, event, movement, or era in U.S. history that we’ve studied this semester. Your exhibit should engage the viewer, demonstrate thoughtful analysis, and showcase your understanding of historical context and significance.

STEP 1: Select a topic we’ve covered this semester. 

Some ideas include:

●       Colonial Period

●       Jacksonian Era

●       Civil War

●       Slavery in the U.S. South

●       Native American Resistance

These are just examples and you can select a subject other than what is listed.

STEP 2: Your exhibit should have a clear historical argument or theme that should be stated clearly on your introductory slide.

Here are some examples:

●       The Trail of Tears exemplifies how U.S. expansionist policies prioritized land acquisition over Indigenous rights, leading to both physical and cultural devastation for Native nations.

●       The success of the Virginia colony depended on unfree labor and land exploitation, laying the groundwork for racial slavery and class division in early America.

●       While Jacksonian democracy expanded political participation, it simultaneously deepened the marginalization of minorities and women.

●       Enslaved people resisted their bondage through rebellion, escape, culture, and community, which challenged the myth of passive acceptance and fueled the moral urgency of abolition.

STEP 3: Select 4 primary or secondary artifacts related to your theme. 

These may include:

●       Historical photographs

●       Newspaper clippings

●       Speeches or letters

●       Political cartoons

●       Posters, protest signs, or advertisements

●       Maps or legal documents

Each artifact should:

●       Be historically accurate and relevant

●       Include a caption (2–3 sentences) that explains:

○ What the artifact is

○ Why it matters

○ How it connects to your overall theme or thesis

STEP 4: Use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Google Slides, Canva, Padlet, or a basic website tool (like Google Sites or Wix) to digitally present your exhibit.

Grading Rubric (150 Points Total)

Criteria	Points	Description
Historical Theme/Thesis	40	Clear, thoughtful, and supported throughout the exhibit
Artifact Selection	20	4 artifacts that are relevant, varied, and meaningful
Captions & Analysis	20	Each caption explains the artifact and connects it to the theme in 2-3 sentences
Visual Presentation	25	Creative, neat, well-organized, and visually engaging
Historical Accuracy	25	Dates, facts, and interpretations are correct and appropriate

Mechanics &                 20            Grammar, spelling, and overall writing are clear and

Clarity                                                 polished