Timberline Middle School

1. Isaiah Thomas and the Printing Press

Students meet the Massachusetts revolutionary printer, Isaiah Thomas. They will learn about his life as an apprentice printer and hear the five things that the British Government did to try to control his press in the 1770s, and how Thomas narrowly escaped with his life. Students will discuss current restrictions on the freedom of the press and what steps are required to become an informed citizen in a world of biased media, which is sometimes controlled by the state. Students will also have the opportunity to operate an English common press (the kind of press in use during the American Revolution) to print a copy of a document of historic significance.

2. Fiber Arts

Where does your shirt come from? Today, a child might answer "the store," but in colonial times, every child knew that getting a new shirt began with either planting seeds or raising sheep. The raw fibers—flax straw or a sheep’s fleece—were harvested. This started the long process of separating and preparing the fibers so they could be spun into thread. A weaver then made the fabric from which a shirt could be sewn. In 18th-century America, most families grew or raised all the fibers that would eventually become their clothes. In this presentation, students will see the processing of linen, cotton, and wool. They'll get hands-on experience spinning fibers into thread, plying thread into yarn, and using it to make (and keep) a bracelet. Along the way, they’ll gain an appreciation for what life was like at the founding of our nation.

3. Village Potter

18th-century potters in America were crucial figures, transforming raw clay into essential household items through a blend of artistry and practical skill. Their craft involved sourcing and preparing suitable clays, shaping vessels on a potter's wheel or by hand, and then firing them in kilns to achieve durability. In this presentation, students will have a front-row seat to see the process of creating the stoneware vessels that were foundational to colonial domestic life. They will hear that the primary avenue to success in the American colonies involved beginning at a young age to develop a skill and applying that skill to meet market needs. In addition, they will learn about the history of pottery, the process if firing the raw vessels to make them durable, waterproof, food-safe.

4. Colonial Militiaman

Experience the American Revolution firsthand! This presentation brings to life an American colonial militiaman, detailing the practical necessities of war. Explore the essential gear carried into battle, including a leather haversack, powder horn, and tin canteen. The presentation focuses heavily on the period's weaponry: a detailed examination of the flintlock musket, its operational mechanics, and the importance of the bayonet in close combat. Learn how this crucial equipment was maintained and used by citizen-soldiers who fought for independence. This is a look into the soldier's life, defined by his tools and weapons.