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Mary's Choice: To Go or Stay?
Extensions

Extensions 1. Students could compare the captivity story of Mary Jemison to other Pennsylvania captives: Simon Girty, James Smith, or Regina Leininger. 2. Ask students to "step into Dr. Seaver's shoes". They are to prepare interview questions for Mary Jemison to transcribe her captivity narrative. What questions would they ask her? 3. Assign students a creative writing project of creating a page in a captivity journal. Have them include such details as: what food was prepared and eaten, how the day was passed, what clothing they wore, with whom they interacted… 4. Have students compare and contrast social roles of women/men/children in each culture.

Field Trips

Carnegie Museum of Natural History 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-622-3131
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History houses the Alcoa Foundation Hall of American Indians, a unique exhibit focusing on the way American Indians relate to the natural world. In addition, many (over 1000) interesting artifacts and interactive exhibits are available.

State Museum of Pennsylvania 300 North Street Harrisburg, PA 17120-0024 717-787-4980
Visit the State Museum to learn more about its Native American peoples. Of particular strength is its archaeology collection, which includes artifacts such as stone tools from the Archaic Period, unusually well-preserved organic remains from the Sheep Rock Shelter, Late Woodland Period pottery and smoking pipes, and Contact Period Susquehannock village site artifacts. For a group reservation call (717) 772-6997.

Reading Public Museum 500 Museum Road Reading, PA 19611-1425 610-371-5850
The Reading Public Museum offers exhibits on different civilizations. Included among the many interesting peoples represented are the North American Indians. A school tour program is offered for K-8th grade called "The First People Here," exploring the culture and history of Native Americans. The museum website has a number of interesting links to explore. For more information about field trip programs and teacher resources see the "Learning Zone" link. In addition the gallery link "North American Indians" describes the variety of Indian artwork and what it often represents and gives a description of the different cultural groups by geographical area.

Museum of Indian Culture-Allentown 2825 Fish Hatchery Road Allentown, PA 18103-9801 610-797-2121
This museum provides a number of permanent and changing multimedia exhibits on Indian culture. In particular it focuses on the Lenni Lenape people and culture. Students can participate in interactive workshops or experience the museum's outreach services of slide presentations and lectures in the classroom. Festivals are also held at certain times during the year demonstrating Lenape ceremonies and crafts.

Fort Pitt Museum 101 Commonwealth Place Point State Park Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 412-281-9284
This museum would be an excellent field trip prior to this lesson. It would provide students the context of Mary Jemison’s kidnapping by explaining the dynamic relationships and interactions between the Native Americans and the British and French during the French and Indian War. It will also explain the role of Fort Pitt in the defense of British early claims to the west and establishing fur trade with Native Americans. The museum offers educational tours for all ages and provides a hands-on educational philosophy. To find out more about scheduling a tour, call 412-281-9285.

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