A Bank, a Library, and a Hospital

The Legacy of Benjamin F. Harris and Julia F. Burnham

Peggy Christensen

Summer Fellowship 2007

To download this lesson in PDF format, click here.

Lesson 3: Students will use primary sources to solve two mysteries. They will gain a better understanding of why historians must use multiple primary sources to better understand events and situations.

Procedure:

• Divide students so that everyone is working with a partner. They will be able to discuss the primary sources and written activity, but each student is expected to complete the worksheet.
• Distribute the worksheet and all primary sources except for the 1900 census.
• Once pairs have completed the worksheet, let them use a computer to view the 1900 census document. They will need to zoom in on pertinent lines. Their mission is to look for information about B.F. Harris’s fifth wife. They should add discovered information to Worksheet 2.
• Once everyone has completed the activities, discuss, collect, and assess the worksheet.

Attachments:

• Worksheet 3: Mysteries Unfold

Analysis of Local Primary Sources: Local primary sources include the Harris divorce document, B.F. Harris vs. M.A. Harris File with Chancery Cases in the Circuit Court, Case # 1774. March 8, 1887; as well as copies of the check and chemist’s letter which were provided by Melissa Dobbins Chambers and are now included in the Harris Vertical File at the Champaign County Historical Archives, Urbana Free Library, 210 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois.

Ties to National Primary Source: There is no national source in this lesson.

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