Historical Perspective (Activities 1-6)

Students will understand that specific monuments represent ideas and events in Kentucky history (Grade 4). Students will recognize the significance of important monuments in the history of the United States (Grade 5)

1. Using the catalogue of Civil War monuments in Kentucky, prepare statistics comparing Confederate and Union monuments in Kentucky. Total numbers may be recorded, along with breakdowns by county or geographic regions. Summarize findings with a graphical representation (graph or chart). Discuss how the proliferation of Confederate monuments may reflect Kentucky sentiments following the War. Do the monuments in your community/region reflect your community’s allegiance during the War? Discuss the monuments that the students feel serve their purpose or convey the sentiments/ideas of their creators most effectively. Create a state map locating each of the monuments. Color-code the map to distinguish Union and Confederate monument locations. Is there an area of the state that has fewer monuments?

2. Research the Civil War monuments in your community, in order to prepare an

exhibition or a scrapbook about them. Collect information from local sources about the monuments. Visit the monuments and take photographs of them, including the images as enlargements in the exhibit or scrapbook. Document the setting and the condition of each monument. If a monument is in need of repair or conservation, or if the grounds need upkeep, notify the appropriate parties in your community about these needs. Present your project to the individuals in your community responsible for Memorial Day services and programs. (As a community service project, students may be able to help with grounds upkeep/improvements.) Research Confederate Memorial Day. What was it and when was it celebrated in Kentucky?

3. Survey the public monuments or sculptures, Civil War and all other types, in your community, in order to prepare an exhibition or a scrapbook about them. Organize the monuments by theme, material, or design, classifying types or styles (statue, obelisk, etc.). Collect information from local sources about the monuments. Visit the monuments and take photographs of them, including the images as enlargements in the exhibit or scrapbook. Where do you find public monuments in your community? Do the monuments relate to their location? For example, what kind of monuments are found at your county courthouse? Your county library? Your High School? How do these monuments express your community? Working in teams, design a monument that captures the spirit of your school. Create renderings and detailed plans for the monument, including materials to be used, site to be selected, and wording on the inscription/dedication plaque.

4. The busy river port of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was the site of a 47-day siege in 1863. This long siege that resulted in a major Union victory, resulted in 35,825 casualties, 31,275 of them Confederate. Using the Internet, research the many (more than 20) state monuments erected in Vicksburg National Military Park. Investigate Kentucky’s plans to erect a monument there in the near future.

5. Develop a survey of monuments to Abraham Lincoln throughout the state of Kentucky. Include his birthplace memorial and all types of public sculpture honoring him. Record descriptions of the monuments, including their inscriptions, and publish them, along with photographs, historic information, and a location map on a Web site or in a bound volume.

6. Research Kentucky’s governors between 1867 and 1895. Were their views: Union or Confederate, Republican or Democratic? What do these elected officials say about Kentucky during that time period? Write biographies of each of the governors, including information about their Confederate service, when applicable. Why was Luke Blackburn’s background unique, and how did he serve the Confederacy? Where are they buried?

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