July, 2008 Summer Institute Workshop
National Archives & Record Administration, Waltham, Mass.

Information used in the Seals from the National to the Local lesson

This lesson was designed to encourage students to find out more about the origin of their communities and their incorporation as towns or cities. Furthermore students will begin to examine the “identity” of America as represented through the use of a National Seal. They will look at documents explaining the adoption of particular symbols and mottos for the United States and this will lead them to examine their own local seals in a similar way.

This lesson is meant to be a continuation of a unit on local history as it pertains to government. It can also be used in conjunction with a unit on early Nationalism and the origin of National symbols.

The documents and links contained on this page are used to help Essex County teachers explore historical links to their communities. Specific pages were developed from information contained in Town and City Seals of Massachusetts:Presenting the Official Seals of Some of the Town and Cities of Massachusetts, Together with Brief Historical Sketches and Local Anecdotes, which was published by the Salem Street Trust Co. in 1950.

Information ....from the U.S. Department of State

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• .pdf brochure which gives information on the history and present use of the Great Seal of the United States
• This document gives a detailed account of the origin and present uses of the Great Seal. It includes a timeline, drawings of various configurations of the seal and the instances when the seal is used today. For older students this is a valuable text resource and for younger students, teacher-read excerpts could help to "flesh out" information needed for this lesson.

Documents ...based on information from the pamphlets Town and City Seals of Massachusetts: Presenting the Official Seals of Some of the Town and Cities of Massachusetts, Together with Brief Historical Sketches and Local Anecdotes

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• Information on Local City Seals - Andover, N. Andover, Ipswich, Peabody & Rockport
• This set of documents shows a sampling of information taken from the above text. Each page includes the information about the city seal and the choice of symbols to represent that community. These particular communities are included because they are towns of schools of the first cohort of teachers. Other communities examined by our teachers include; Amesbury, Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Salem, Wenham and Hamilton. Check your local Massachusetts library for this useful book.

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• Information on the State Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• This page from the above cited text gives information on the adoption and symbolism of the Massachusetts State Seal.

Additional teacher resources ...from Ben's Guide to US Government for Kids - US Symbols "The Great Seal"

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• Symbols of US Government; The Great Seal of the United States
• This site maintained by the government printing office contains many "kid-friendly" links. Check out the resources here for the Great Seal!