Decoding History

Decoding History A Virtual Field Trip to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Building Background Handout Vocabulary Terms Abolishing/Abolition: The act of ending something Acquired: Gotten as one’s own Arsenal: A building used for storing weapons Artifact: Any object made by people

Artisan: A person who is skilled at making things like furniture, crafts, or pottery Ceramics: Objects made out of baked clay Confederacy: The eleven southern states that seceded from the Union in 1860 and 1861 Conservation: The preservation of artifacts for future generations. It involves examining, documenting and treating, if necessary, artifacts to slow their deterioration Conservator: A person who does conservation Curator: A person who takes care of historical objects, usually at a museum Elegant: Fine or rich in quality Emancipation: The act of freeing from constraint or confinement, especially slavery Embroidery: The art of sewing designs on cloth Footcandle: A unit to measure light intensity Garrison: A military fort, or the armies that are located in a fort Inscribed: Written on Mythic: Something from the distant past Replica: An exact copy of an original Reproduction: A copy of something Sightline: A direct line from your eye to the thing you are looking at Solvent: A substance that can dissolve other substances like dirt and oils Tactile: The sense of touch, or an object that can be felt Tangible: Real or capable of being touched Textiles: Fabrics made by weaving or knitting

Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. Jefferson founded the University of Virginia, and wrote the historic Declaration of Independence, the document that boldly told King George that the colonies would no longer accept his rule. He served as the first secretary of state under George Washington, and vice president under John Adams. During his presidency, Jefferson doubled the size of the country by acquiring the Louisiana Purchase.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an expedition from Saint Louis to the Oregon coast from 1804 to 1806. Their primary objective was to explore the territory acquired from France in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase. Lewis and Clark’s mission, assigned by President Thomas Jefferson, was to explore the land’s resources, make contact with Indians, and search for the fabled Northwest Passage, a water route to the Pacific Ocean.

War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain. During the early 1800s, Great Britain was at war with France. The United States remained neutral and traded freely with both countries. American ships seeking trade with the French were stopped by the British, who dominated the seas. In addition to preventing trade, the British claimed the right to take British sailors off the American ships on which they served. Frequently, the British would also take Americans. During this time, the United States also wanted to claim land in British-held Canada. All of these factors led Congress to declare war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812.

Battle of Baltimore: On September 13, 1814, British warships began firing bombs and rockets on Fort McHenry, which protected the city of Baltimore—an important seaport. The attack continued for twenty-five hours, but the Americans refused to surrender. The next morning, the British admitted defeat and withdrew their warships. In celebration, soldiers at the fort hoisted a huge American flag. Francis Scott Key, who was aboard a ship several miles away, saw the flag, and was moved to write a song celebrating “that star-spangled banner” as a symbol of America’s triumph and endurance.

George and Louisa Armistead: Major George Armistead was the commander of Fort McHenry during the famous Battle of Baltimore, in the War of 1812. After the battle, he saved the Star Spangled Banner and gave it to his wife Louisa, who passed it down to her daughter Georgiana Armistead Appleton. On her death, it was inherited by her son Eben Appleton, who donated the flag to the Smithsonian in 1912.

Mary Pickersgill (1776–1857) was a Baltimore flag-maker. In 1813, Major George Armistead hired Mary Pickersgill to sew a huge flag, thirty feet high and forty-two feet wide, to fly over Fort McHenry. An expert flag maker, Mrs. Pickersgill made flags for many ships. But even she had never made such a large flag. She got help from her thirteen-year-old daughter Caroline; nieces Eliza Young (thirteen) and Margaret Young (fifteen); and a thirteen-year-old African American indentured servant, Grace Wisher.

John Bull Locomotive, 1831: The “John Bull” was one of the first successful locomotives in the United States. In 1981, for its 150th anniversary, it was operated for one last time, making it the “oldest operable locomotive” in the United States. The locomotive was named after the character John Bull, England’s national symbol, much like America’s Uncle Sam.

David Drake (1801-1870s) was an enslaved black potter who worked on Lewis Miles’ plantation in South Carolina. David Drake is the only slave known to have signed and dated his pots. He was educated by his first owner, stoneware maker and newspaper editor Abner Landrum, and may have worked at Landrum’s newspaper. Later on, Dave was sold to Lewis Miles, another large-scale pottery owner. Dave was a master potter, regularly producing massive storage jars and jugs that required enormous skill and strength to make.

REPRODUCIBLE The contents of this page may be photocopied THE 39 CLUES and associated logos are trademarks and distributed for educational purposes, as www.the39clues.com and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. long as it’s free of charge. Illustration by SJI Associates. Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in a log cabin, but eventually became the sixteenth president of the United States and led America through the Civil War. He is famous for freeing the slaves, saving the Union, and giving thoughtful speeches like the Gettysburg Address. His life ended in 1865 when he was assassinated.

Fort Sumter: The nation’s bloodiest and most divisive war began at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. After South Carolina seceded from the Union, the Confederacy demanded that the United States evacuate its fort in Charleston Harbor. Lincoln refused, provoking a Confederate attack.

William Tecumseh Sherman was a general in the Union Army. In 1864, he led a march through the South from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Savannah, Georgia. His army burned crops, destroyed buildings, and tore up railroads in an effort to crush the Southern peoples will to continue the war.

Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederacy during the Civil War. He went to college at West Point, fought Indians for several years along the frontier and later served with merit in the Mexican War. He had experience in Congress as both a representative and senator, and was secretary of war under President Franklin Pierce. Emancipation Proclamation: On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation dramatically changed the meaning of the Civil War by declaring that all persons held as slaves in America were “thenceforward, and forever free.” Because the Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves in every state, and because some people still questioned whether the Proclamation was legal, President Lincoln became convinced that only a constitutional amendment would permanently guarantee black freedom after the war. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution completed what the Emancipation Proclamation set in motion. On December 6, 1865, the U.S. government abolished slavery by amending the Constitution to say, Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of America’s celebrated heroes for his use of peaceful protest strategies during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.

by David Baldacci

Seven members of the Cahill family have been kidnapped, and it’s up to thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, to save them. They have to collect a series of bizarre ransoms from around the world, all while staying a step ahead of their enemies. In this scene, the search takes Amy and Dan to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in search of information on Lewis and Clark. Too bad Isabel Kabra, one of their deadliest rivals, has been there first . . .

For an audio version of this excerpt, please click HERE. THE 39 CLUES Lewis and Clark exhibit.” Clark and Lewis one here. works who Perhaps there’s apermanent around. gazed havewho president been United of the States. men located onand the here alargeexhibition was politics, and on wars focused floor third Gallery. The Culture and History American of African Museum National the and ideals, and lives on American tions exhibi housed second floor floor. The this anchoring locomotivetechnology. alarge early-style was There and on transportation focused floor first The themes. up into divided was spaceinside The charge. without citizens open country’s to the thus and dollars tax with for were paid largely facilities of these all because free was admission the DC, in museums all almost Like in. Avenue hurried on Constitution off they them and cab dropped It The located was National Mall. on the History. of American National Museum Smithsonian’s side of Union Station headed over and DC to in the into acab out climbed Amy, others the and Dan, closely. were. iting impossible they towho see “Good thinking,” said Amy. said But she a added in thinking,” “Good off, other vehicle the followed pulled bus the As Atticus said, “It makes the most sense to ask some to ask sense most “Itthe said, makes Atticus Dan. asked looking?” do we start “Where largelobby the and in paused others the and Amy - - - have been halfway to the West Coast by now.” West to the Coast have halfway been wasn’t it. ahugesee IhopeWe waste this of time. could quest. their along in were no others further the and items, Amy of the all However, of minutes examining twenty after explorers. famous two by the how had used each been were whatand they item, underevery explaining cards were information there and weredition underglass, expe legendary Items the from area. display found the greatest heroes. country’s of the two as revered became Clark and Lewis both and America, in ever undertaken longest, expedition arduous most It had the been Mountains. over Rocky the westward Sacagawea. Shenamed helped expedition guide the were by aShoshone joined Clark and Indian trip, Lewis the on in Early coast. way the Pacific to the all led them of journey 1803. Their Purchase Louisiana of the part Unitedthat the States France from as had acquired Territory Jefferson to Northwest explore the Thomas by President veteran soldiers, had commissioned been both Clark, William and floor. Meriwether Lewis third on the display Clark and told aLewis was there that bodyguards, too.” I doubt alone, traveling be keep so she’ll watch for her tone, lookout on the warning “Be for Isabel Kabra. And Atticus said firmly, “My mother was dying at dying was mother “My firmly, said Atticus quickly and floor up third to the took stairs the They headedwere over and desk information toThey the Dan said, “If there’s something helpful here, helpful Idon’t there’s “If said, something Dan -

DAY OF DOOM THE 39 CLUES actually.” Clark, and Lewis is here. curators of My the specialty way. by the “I’m woman. the Dr. Gwinn, I’m Nancy one display?” Amy. asked features. had and kindly dress red striking She eyes. wore brown large and a hair brown with woman. over to them. speculated.” Clark.”and She ahollow added in voice, “Well, I to Lewis lated it to pertaining was look at something abig you is here.city. DC said, came As We specu just what she doing. was I’m exactly ofknew it.” sure Butthat. she have could delirious.” been information.” Idoubt time. she wouldthe have told me useless said Amy.said They all stared at her. stared fifty, all around She tall, was They awoman had walked had talking, been they While actually she that don’t we know “But said, Amy “No, she wasn’t,” emphatically. “She Atticus said Amy said, “We’re said, out here from traveling ofAmy students you’re we want person to the “Then see,” just “Just a few minutes ago there was someone,” was a few ago there “Just minutes said “You other people have mean here been the to see today,” Clark and of Lewis “Lot interest in the said Jake added, “And town,too.” IsabelKabra in is “Hey, said, and paled it Ididn’tDan like mean Att, “Really, why is that?” asked Dr. Gwinn curiously.“Really, Dr. asked that?” why is Gwinn -

ordinary?” asked Amy. asked ordinary?” articulate.” her of demeanor. teacherlikein sort she very was And we’re against.” competing students the one who’s teachers of the with working Kabra. Isabel edly to me for some reason.” fact,In familiar she seemed older. hair, Very Dark her intense. attractive. In forties. stake.” at scholarships college are there competition, and true my height? Blond hair, shoulder length? You see, it’s a Was my chance? ageabout Agirl by any person that about them. here asking you in was someone said, else other any paper, our items in of these covered but all do you have known.”She cabinet. pointed “We’ve display tothe aren’t that well- so outwere hoping some tothings find about But of them, we course. known are that things many are There Clark. and competition on Lewis We’retown. paper for aregional research doing ateam on display. It’s of interest.” aquestion spaceand Dr. Gwinn thoughtDr. for amoment. Gwinn “Well, one just out of the “I’m anything to Did she see sure. ask “She alot like sounds “That she“Was alone?”Dan. asked four looked at other.The each undoubt was That shook herDr. head. “No, she much was Gwinn to interest be “And seems there Dr. Gwinn nodded. “Yes,Dr. we have aren’t that many Gwinn was artifacts from the expedition?” the from artifacts alone. But now you that it, say seem she did ,” Amy. said “Like -

DAY OF DOOM THE 39 CLUES ter at lying every day.ter every at lying Should worried?” Ibe a teacher of the students we’rea teacher against’?” students of the competing like sounds look ago.long ‘That who’s And time talking. me afew minutes.” to educate is enlighten. and Give missions important too. That’s fair. one only most Smithsonian’s of the And hopefully. to deliberately you.” mislead she that trying was seems committee.” organization competition’s the appointment She’s her week. when last on Iasked also appointment.” an without building of back the the from ment. It’s not articles to policy bring Smithsonian’s the alook take atwe can it, too?” paper.” for research themes the one centerpiece of as that our “We use others. could compass.” famous She right. The looked“That’s at the it.” She quite was compass. taken with Clark and now you that mentionthing, Lewis it. The “Hey, I just go with the flow,”“Hey, the with go Ijust grinning. replied Dan, you weren’t “I’mShe a smiled. worried surprised you should, she got “If said, to it,Dr. see Ithink Gwinn but looked nothing at said her Dan and Amy “Well, that’s fair,” hardly sternly. Dr. said “It Gwinn “She told we an didn’t need lookedus crushed. Amy shookDr. her head. “She appoint had an Gwinn fingers. Amy. her snapped She said “Compass,” After she walked off, Dan said to said Amy, off, she Dan walked “You bet After get way to any look there “Is at Dr.She turned Gwinn. - - the object. the in helpful look, but none anything of see could them It’s case. piece.” handsome avery a leather carrying mahogany. box is the has and plated It rim also brass maker, It Whitney. asilver- has Thomas instrument well-known a it from purchased Lewis then. back lars 1930s.” early the in donated descendants His it Smithsonian tohis. the journey. Later of to he presented afriend compass the the from Itof them. asouvenir kept was as by Clark one was compass Fortunately, this had survived. trip for the equipmentmentshad and purchased they of few 1806, instru fall of very the the in to St. Louis returned expedition the on. When them sending was Jefferson President that ration Thomas for mission the 1803 prepa in around by Meriwether Lewis purchased It actually Clark. was and of Lewis compass famous acorner, on it, down in opened it. and case the set had put on white gloves. She over led them to atable your part.” Clark.” and about Lewis shehere something interested was and in Amy and the others crowded around for crowded others around abetter the and Amy She took it out ofblack “It the case. about cost dol five the is excited tone, an in said Dr. “This Gwinn added,“But now was Isabel that we know Atticus Nancy Gwinn came back holding ablack holding She back case. came Gwinn Nancy on call “Good “You Dan. said were right, Atticus,” - - -

DAY OF DOOM THE 39 CLUES very same thing.” same very phone to shotscompass. take of cameras the that writing on there?” writing that took phones. photos their of it with She turned it over, and Jake and Dan surreptitiously it over,She surreptitiously turned Dan Jake and and the “Funny,” womanasked “That Dr. said Gwinn. bottom box?” of the the we see “Can said, Amy cell- their Amy, used from acue On Dan Jake and Dr. Gwinn lookedDr. more closely. Gwinn to “Yes. It a be seems to closer look leaned box. atShe “Is said, the Amy thank goodness.”thank it over. it. Ichecked retrieve no was damage, There over there. But she able was table to under the get and case display it. She Itunderthe dropped bounced pass. really. Ishouldn’t have let womanhold that com the Gwinn. help.” big did.” over centuries. the would survive sure had Clark made box of William that a compass back into the numbers have scratched some meaningless doubted would Amy they that coast. way Pacific to the had Clark fought and their moon, Lewis on and the had landed men They bellies. their in fires the and ness Tomas stubborn for The their were known Cahills. the hadTomas of members Clark been the and of branch placea handy to do so, Iimagine.” made journey. wooden case the their made And during probablywas or Clark anotation just either that Lewis ever ableIt been has out mean. what to they figure it’s No one of course. over years, down worn been the surface, scratchedinto although of the numbers series Dr. Gwinn looked chagrined. “It looked my was fault,Dr. chagrined. Gwinn had adisaster,” fact,“In we almost added Dr. much,” so Amy. said “You’ve a“Thanks been strangely. at glanced him Dr. “Why, yes, she Gwinn down?” numbers the write woman the “Did said, Dan Lewis that knew both They at glanced Dan. Amy “A do Amy. you asked disaster?” mean?” “What - -

DAY OF DOOM THE 39 CLUES were a lot nicer than she was. I hope you win your were she Ihope was. alot you than win nicer “Me, too.” “Me, competition.” Amy and Dan turned back and together said, together and back turned Dan and Amy to “Yousaid, leave all Dr. turned Gwinn they As looked at other Dan but nothing. and each said Amy