Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |

The Declaration at 250 Initiative

We are proud to announce the launch of the “Declaration at 250” initiative at the Gilder Lehrman Institute. This multi-year project will bring together our archive of historic documents and our network of scholars to examine the importance of the Declaration of Independence and its impact on the modern world. Over the next five years, culminating in 2026, the Institute will continue to create and share digital and print materials to serve teachers, students, and the general public. Highlights… Read more

July Book Breaks and History Books for the Beach

Since the summer of 2020, Gilder Lehrman Book Breaks has featured the most exciting history scholars in America discussing their books live with host William Roka followed by a Q&A with home audiences. Upcoming books featured in July cover surprising aspects and brutal realities of familiar historical struggles of people through oppression and exclusion in the United States. OPENING THE GATES TO ASIA On July 11, Jane Hong discusses her book Opening the Gates to Asia: A Transpacific History… Read more

A More Perfect Union (AMPU) a Four-Year Success in Rural and Urban California

In September 2017, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History was the sole recipient of a grant from the US Department of Education to implement A More Perfect Union (AMPU), a professional development program for teachers designed to build history and civics knowledge and provide pedagogical strategies to take back to their classrooms. Significant to the grant and central to the program, AMPU sought to deliver quality, scholarly content that could prove repeatable in both physical… Read more

Announcing the Winners of the American History in 100 Documents Contest

We are pleased to share the winners of our inaugural American History in 100 Documents: An Innovative Curriculum Contest. Each of the ten winners received a $500 prize and a one-year subscription to American History: 1493–1945, the fully digitized Gilder Lehrman Collection. Participants created lesson plans using documents from American History: 1493–1945, which provides K–12 schools, universities, and institutions—including Harvard, Yale, and the Library of Congress—access to tens of thousands… Read more

2021 State History Teachers of the Year Announced

The Gilder Lehrman Institute is proud to announce the 2021 State History Teachers of the Year. Since 2004, 855 exemplary American history teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools in all fifty states, Department of Defense schools, Washington DC, and US territories have been named State History Teacher of the Year. Many have gone on to work with the Institute, many as master teachers for programs such as History School. Inaugurated in 2004, the History Teacher of the Year Award… Read more

Previous Pause Next

Upcoming Events

Hamilton Cast Read Alongs
July 23

Hamilton Cast Read Alongs July 23 The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is excited to share its archive of Hamilton Cast Read Alongs.

History School
July 23

History School July 23 History School is back for another semester of fun! Since launching in April 2020, 5200 students have participated in 22 courses with our award-winning teachers. We are pleased to offer free courses this summer for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Book Breaks
July 25

Book BreaksJuly 25 Gilder Lehrman Book Breaks features the most exciting history scholars in America discussing their books live with host William Roka, followed by a Q&A with home audiences.

Lincoln Speaks Virtual Lecture Series
July 31

Lincoln Speaks Virtual Lecture SeriesJuly 31

MA in American History

Library Programs

Library ProgramsLibrary Affiliate Program

Self-Paced Courses

Self-Paced CoursesThe Gilder Lehrman Institute's Self-Paced Course Program offer graduate-level online instruction in American history by the nation's top historians.