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Letter from James Wells Champney to Misses Baker & Coleman regarding trolley
Letter from the Monday Club regarding trolley
Letter to George Sheldon regarding trolley
Letter to George Sheldon regarding trolley
Postcard to George Sheldon regarding trolley debate
Letter to C. Alice Baker regarding the trolley
Letter to George Sheldon regarding the trolley debate
Letter to George Sheldon regarding land title for the trolley
Letter to Mr. and Mrs. George Sheldon regarding R. H. Dana et. al and trolley
Letter to Mr. and Mrs. George Sheldon regarding trolley
Letter to George Sheldon regarding trolley
Letter to George Sheldon regarding trolley
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Summary and Objective
Students, with the aid of letters from the American Centuries website, will research the two sides of an argument about the trolley's potential appearance in Deerfield around 1900. One side of the debate wanted Deerfield's Main Street to remain "unspoiled," while the other side didn't want to hold up progress.
The goal is to have students take a side in this debate in order to better understand those promoting preservation and those promoting development. Students will also learn how they can uncover past debates by using primary documents.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Students will use the American Centuries web site to access letters about the trolley debate. They can download the transcribed pages and print them out for easy use.
Step 2.
Students will break into two groups, each representing a side of the debate. Allow sufficient time for students to read through the primary sources, picking out the arguments used for or against the trolley lines at the time this was an issue.
Step 3.
When students have developed their arguments, they will take part in a moderated debate to present their cases for or against development.
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