Social Studies

One of the first buildings built at the fort was the “guard house.” This was similar to a jail and was for soldiers who broke the rules. Minor offenses were punishable by hard labor, while the guard house was for perpetrators of major crimes.  The types of crimes provide a window into fort life.

Joseph La Fleche recognized in 1856 that the flood of alcohol coming onto the reservation would have a terrible effect on his people. He banned liquor and even started the first Native American Police force to try to stem the flood.

Spread the Word to End the Word is an educational campaign to increase awareness for the need to respect and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The initiative is supported by Special Olympics and Best Buddies and numerous other organizations. It promotes using people first accepting language in schools and in the community.

Visit the Move to Include collection for more resources. 

Learn how a rock climbing enthusiast turned a scenic wonder into an adventure.

Discover how Mary Lou Retton's hard work paid off in Olympic competition.

Examine the beginnings of the ski industry in West Virginia.

Examine the basketball career of West Virginian Jerry West.

Listen as Antonio Neves reports on the importance of parents talking to their children about drug usage and what steps can be taken to prevent abuse. Gain insight into the causes and effects of prescription drug abuse. Recognize the prevalence of the abuse of pain medications among teenagers and consider the parental role in stopping the teenage drug addiction.

Rob Pene was born in American Samoa and came to the United States on a baseball scholarship. Unsuccessful in his major-league tryouts, he pursues his passion through an urban ministry. He also writes and performs Christian rap. The sudden death of his father challenges Pene’s commitment to his chosen path.

Learn the outcome of 2012 Orange Bowl game between WVU and Clemson.

Examine the history of the Oakhurst Golf Club in White Sulphur Springs, WV from its creation in 1884 to the present and learn about how some golf equipment and rules have changed.

Jeneen Robinson is an African American single mother, as well as a newly ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. She balances the responsibilities of parenting, schoolwork, and creating an original preaching style.

Growing up in Illinois, Justina Ford was inspired to become a doctor while accompanying her mother, a nurse, on her neighborhood rounds. She attended Hering Medical College, and, along with her husband, the Rev. Dr. John Elijah Ford, moved to Denver in 1902. Due to her race and gender, she was initially denied a medical license in Colorado, and refused entrance into major medical societies. Dr. Ford worked out of a private of practice in Denver’s Five-Points neighborhood and treated mainly minorities who were not allowed in Denver hospitals at the time. Over the course of her career, she delivered over 7,000 babies.

Examine the conflicting stories about the shootout in Medina, the various sides of the story, and how the community was fractured by the violence.

Learn about the life of Gordon Kahl, how his political views developed, and the conflicting public views of him.