Freedom Was in Sight: Reconstruction as the Second Founding

The program offers a week-long intensive examination of Reconstruction as a transformative period in American history, framed as the nation's "Second Founding." Through expert-led sessions, group discussions, and field trips to historic sites around Washington, D.C., participants explore how African Americans built new lives after emancipation and how constitutional amendments reshaped the nation. The seminar is built around the graphic history *Freedom Was in Sight! A Graphic History of Reconstruction in the Washington D.C. Region* by historian Dr. Kate Masur and illustrator Liz Clarke, and is designed especially for educators seeking content knowledge and classroom strategies.

When: Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

Location: 2nd Floor Classrooms, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C.

Type: Multi-day workshop and professional development program.

Cost: $200 per person (payment required after acceptance to the program).

Application Deadline: Extended to April 15, 2026. Participation is by application; space is limited.

Featured Historian and Author: Dr. Kate Masur, co-author of the program’s framing text, delivers content and leads sessions.

Framing Text: *Freedom Was in Sight! A Graphic History of Reconstruction in the Washington D.C. Region* by Dr. Kate Masur and Liz Clarke.

Program Focus: The Civil War’s aftermath, the abolition of slavery, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and how African Americans built lives, families, and communities in the Washington, D.C., region. Connections are drawn to the national story of Reconstruction as an “unfinished revolution” and to the 250th anniversary of the United States (America 250).

Activities and Structure: Daily sessions with Dr. Masur and other educators; opportunities for discussion and collaborative learning; field trips to historic sites in the D.C. metropolitan area, where participants meet with curators, historians, and interpretation experts. Facilitators provide strategies for effective history teaching and activities for personal and professional enrichment.

Essential Questions Explored: How the Civil War and abolition transformed the United States; differing perspectives on creating a “more perfect union”; the role of America’s founding documents in pressing for change; how the D.C. area deepens understanding of Reconstruction; and how engagement with historic places enhances historical understanding.

Target Audience: Educators and teachers interested in deepening their knowledge of Reconstruction and developing classroom applications. The program includes activities designed for teachers’ personal and professional enrichment.

Run Time: 35 hours total (seven hours per day for five days).

Ages: Not specified; program content is geared toward adult educators.

Accessibility: Not detailed in the provided text. Contact the museum for specific accessibility information.

Note: Registration requires a separate application; acceptance is not automatic. Payment is due only after acceptance.