Unit 1: Foundations & The "Silver" Survey

The chronological timeline of Meriden, from the indigenous Quinnipiac roots to its 19th-century industrial peak.

The definition of historiography (the study of how history is written).

The difference between a primary source (an original letter) and a secondary source (a history textbook).

Analyze 19th-century Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps to see how Meriden’s physical landscape changed as factories grew.

Participate in a "Source Scavenger Hunt" where they must identify the bias in different historical accounts of the same event.

The Source Analysis Worksheet: Students will be given one artifact (e.g., a 1920s advertisement for International Silver) and must write a formal analysis of its purpose, audience, and historical context.