Synergy: Prudence Cummings Wright

PRUDENCE CUMMINGS WRIGHT (1740-1824) organized and lead a women’s militia in Pepperell, Massachusetts during the American Revolution.

Read the recently published picture book, then learn more at the websites:

REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT: LEADING THE MINUTE WOMEN IN THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE written by Beth Anderson and illustrated by Susan Reagan tells the inspiring story of Prudence Wright and the “minute women” of Pepperell, Massachusetts. Organizing and leading a group of resourceful women, she rallies support against British policies and defends her town against Tory invaders.

PRUDENCE WRIGHT from the American Battlefield Trust provides a short biography.

Go to https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/prudence-wright

PRUDENCE WRIGHT AND THE WOMEN WHO GUARDED THE BRIDGE is a book written by Mary Shattuck in 1912 providing details about Wright and her minute women. It contains interesting references to primary source materials.

Go to http://www.pepperellhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PrudenceWright.pdf

COVERED BRIDGE OVER THE NASHUA RIVER is an article at the Pepperell MA townsite describing the history of the bridge in the story. 

Go to https://town.pepperell.ma.us/160/Covered-Bridge-Over-the-Nashua-River

BETH ANDERSON’s website contains resources for teachers interested in using the book in the curriculum.

Go to https://bethandersonwriter.com/revolutionary-prudence-wright-leading-the-minute-women-in-the-fight-for-independence/

ARC courtesy of Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers.

Technology Review: The Story of Pelagie

THE STORY OF PELAGIE is an interactive app and website telling the story of an African American woman and her home in the 18th century.

Both the website and app tell the story of a former slave who became a free woman in Missouri. The interactive, digital story incorporates engaging video, primary source documents, and images from the historic Amoureux House. In addition to the story, a timeline is used to take readers through her life. Users can also go on an interactive home tour.

A teacher’s guide includes curriculum materials, lesson plans, resources, and activities to extend the experience. Links are provided to useful resources and documents to extend the experience.

Librarians will find this app and website to be useful in discussing history, culture, and architecture within the context of a specific person and place. Work with the social studies and history teacher to weave this rich, little-known history into the curriculum.

To visit the website, go to http://amoureuxhouse.org/
To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/bauvais-amoureux-hou…/id853313105.