Empowering the Next Generation of Historians

Bring the Archives Directly to Your Classroom.

Amistad on the Go is an educational initiative that introduces middle and high school students to archives, cultural history, and historical preservation through materials from the Amistad Research Center.

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Teacher and student reviewing historical materials
Archive Spotlight

"Looking Ahead to Our Future, While Celebrating Our Past" workshop at Dominican High School

Student Training

Training the Next Generation of Junior Archivists

The program trains students to become Junior Archivists, teaching them how historians use primary sources such as letters, photographs, recordings, and artwork to understand the past and preserve community stories.

Students working with archival materials

Primary Sources

Letters & Documents
Students examining archives

Visual History

Photographs & Art
Our Mission

Empowering students to find their voice in history through the lens of the archives.

Curriculum

Curriculum Highlights

Our lessons are designed by master educators in collaboration with professional archivists. Students are introduced to:

  • Civil rights history including the Supreme Court case United States v. The Amistad
  • Harlem Renaissance cultural production
  • African American visual art and storytelling
  • Modern archival technology including digitization and metadata

The goal is to help students understand that history is something they help create and preserve.

Archiving 101
Preservation Basics

Archiving 101

Master the fundamentals of historical preservation. Learn how to handle, catalog, and protect physical documents from the Amistad collections.

45 – 60 mins
Jacob Lawrence and Arts Series
Digital Humanities

Jacob Lawrence and Arts Series

Bring Jacob Lawrence’s art to life. Students explore his iconic art series—like the Toussaint L’Ouverture Series.

45 – 60 mins
Sports and Civil Rights
Sports History

Sports and Civil Rights

Explore the intersection of sports and social justice. Learn about Althea Gibson and Paul Robeson’s legacy and how athletes have used their platforms to advocate for civil rights.

45 – 60 mins
NOLA Hip Hop and Bounce Collection
Music & Culture

NOLA Hip Hop and Bounce Collection

Explore the vibrant history of New Orleans Hip Hop and Bounce. Students analyze the cultural impact and preservation of local musical traditions through the Amistad archives.

45 – 60 mins
Interdisciplinary Approach

Innovative Learning for the 21st Century

Our curriculum breaks down traditional silos by integrating ELA, Social Studies, and Computer Science. We empower students with the critical skills needed for modern college and workforce success.

Archival Skills & AI Literacy

Students learn to navigate historical archives while developing essential AI literacy, understanding how to critically evaluate and utilize emerging technologies.

Hands-on Research & Discussion

Learning is active. Through deep research and collaborative discussion, students build historical empathy and information literacy.

Presentation & Workforce Readiness

We focus on high-level presentation skills, preparing students to communicate complex ideas effectively in any professional environment.

ELALiteracy & Analysis
CSAI & Technology
SSHistory & Society
21stCentury Skills
Save the Date

2026 Summer Teacher Institute

DateFriday, August 7, 2026
LocationAmistad Research Center, NOLA

Welcome, educators! We are thrilled to have you join us for this experience. Amistad on the Go! is a dynamic educational initiative designed to pull back the curtain on historical preservation, bringing the world-class resources of the Amistad Research Center directly into the hands of your students. This program isn’t just about reading history—it’s about doing history.

Teacher Institute Registration

Register for the 2026 Summer Teacher Institute to gain hands-on experience with archival primary sources and pedagogical strategies.

  • Professional Development Credits
  • Hands-on Archival Training
  • Participation Stipend

All applications are subject to verification. Personal information is kept strictly confidential according to Amistad Research Center data policies.

Support Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Junior Archivist initiative.

What exactly is the Junior Archivist program?
The Junior Archivist program is an educational initiative by the Amistad Research Center designed to introduce middle and high school students to the world of historical preservation. Through curated lessons and high-fidelity scans of primary sources, students learn to analyze, protect, and interpret history just like professional archivists.
Is there a cost for educators to use these materials?
No. Thanks to generous grants and donor support, all digital curriculum materials, PDF lesson plans, and archival scans are provided free of charge to verified educators.
Are the lessons aligned with educational standards?
Yes. Our curriculum is developed by master teachers and is aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
How do I gain access to the full Lesson Portal?
To protect the integrity of the archival documents and ensure our metrics for grant reporting, we require educators to register for a free account. Once your institutional credentials are verified (usually within 48-72 hours), you will receive full access to the portal.
Can my class visit the Amistad Research Center in person?
Absolutely! We welcome school groups for tours and hands-on workshops at our facility on the Tulane University campus in New Orleans. Please contact us via the about page for more details on scheduling a visit.
Do you offer professional development for teachers?
Yes, we host an annual Summer Teacher Institute (usually in July) where educators can receive intensive training and a professional stipend. Check our home page for the latest ‘Save the Date’ information.
What technical requirements are there for students?
Most of our lessons are designed to be flexible. They can be printed as physical packets or used digitally on platforms like Google Classroom. High-resolution scans work best on tablets or laptops where students can zoom in on handwritten details.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our education team.

Contact Education Team
About

About Amistad on the Go!

Amistad on the Go! is an educational initiative of the Amistad Research Center. Our mission is to democratize the archives, ensuring that the critical primary sources detailing the history of African Americans and other people of color are accessible to classrooms nationwide.

The Junior Archivist program was born from the belief that when students touch history, they learn to value it. By providing middle and high school teachers with high-fidelity document scans and pedagogical support, we help students build critical thinking skills, information literacy, and historical empathy.

The Amistad Research Center

Founded in 1966, the ARC is the nation’s oldest and largest independent archives specializing in the history of African Americans and other ethnic minorities. It is located on the campus of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Learn more about the Amistad Research Center →

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