History of the Project
During 2004 and 2005, Dr. Cecil Currey, a Fort Hays State University Alumnus,
deeded ownership of two letters written by Benjamin Franklin, one copy of the Pennsylvania Gazette, and one copy of the Pennsylvania Packet to Forsyth Library on the campus of Fort Hays
State University. The letters have an appraised value of $25,000 and $35,000
respectively, and they are dated 1767 and 1771. The newspapers are dated 1769
and 1781. All materials have significant historical value as well.
Upon receiving the letters, Forsyth Library, American Democracy Project, Center
for Civic Leadership, The College of Education and Technology, and Office of
the Provost proposed showing the letters and papers to as many schoolchildren
as possible, starting with children in Ellis County. Through this collaboration,
the Benjamin Franklin Papers project was born.
Staff at the Center for Civic Leadership coordinated the development and implementation of the project, as they worked with numerous other entities across campus. Every elementary and middle school in Ellis County was invited to bring their 5th and 8th graders.
The collaboration of many departments from across campus and community were involved with the success of this project. The Chair of the Department of History researched the timeframe in which the letters were written and provided the context of the letters. The Teacher Education Department assisted with alignment of the correct age students to benefit from the program. A faculty member from this department also incorporated this program into her Social Studies Methods class as a service-learning project. Her students researched the life of Benjamin Franklin, then worked in pairs to create grade specific, interactive workstations. Each activity was reviewed by the faculty to ensure they met Kansas state standards for Colonial history.
Forsyth Library was also actively involved in the project. Library employees worked with the Government Printing Office to obtain Benjamin Franklin activity booklets and flyers to distribute to the students. Artifacts such as framed replicas of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, normally displayed in the library, were used in the event.
The Office of the Provost provided a pocket constitution for every student who attended. Laptops used in the stations were provided by the Department of Allied Health. The Theater Department loaned period dresses which were worn by presenters. Volunteers from the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter worked at the refreshments station. The custodians from Gross Memorial Coliseum helped in numerous ways throughout the planning and implementation stages of the project. All staff members from the Center for Civic Leadership served as volunteers throughout the day. Felten Middle School allowed the project coordinators to hold informational meetings for all county 5th and 8th grade teachers in their library.
Throughout the day, approximately 700 people of all ages attended this event. From interactive workstations centered on the life of Benjamin Franklin, to the display of the original documents, to a “Boston Tea Party” refreshment station, having fun while learning was the theme of the day.