To See or Not to See: Displaying the Deringer
This lesson invites students to use primary source documents and objects to examine ethics of displaying the weapon John Wilkes Booth used to kill President Abraham Lincoln.
When a museum designs an exhibition, the curators must decide which objects to show and which ones to leave out. But how do they decide what to include when the story being told involves a murder weapon? Four American presidents have been assassinated, all by firearms. Two of the murder weapons are on public display; two are not.
In this activity, students will consider the historical context surrounding these four presidential assassinations as well as the impact of these events on the nation. Students will then step into the role of a curator designing a new exhibit on one of these presidents, choose whether or not to display the murder weapon and provide reasons to support their decision.
C3 framework
D2.His.5.6-8. Explain how and why perspectives of people have changed over time.
D2.His.14.9-12. Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past.
D4.2.6-8. Construct explanations using reasoning, correct sequence, examples, and details with relevant information and data, while acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of the explanations.
D1.1.9-12. Explain how a question reflects an enduring issue in the field.Add menu block here
Learning Objectives
This lesson invites students to use primary source documents and objects to examine ethics of displaying the weapon John Wilkes Booth used to kill President Abraham Lincoln.
Guiding Questions
How should museums talk about difficult questions? Who should make that decision? What can we learn from difficult history?
Classroom Activity
- Choose one of the four presidents we’ve been discussing.
- Step into the role of a curator at an American history museum. You are helping design a new exhibition about the president you have chosen.
- You must make a decision about whether or not to display the murder weapon.
- If you chose not to display the murder weapon, what objects or artifacts would you include instead?
- Write down your decision as well as the reasons behind your decision.
- Consider what objections to your decision people may have.
- Prepare to share with the class.
Prepared by Ford’s Theatre Education
Grade 6-12
Length 30-40 minutes
What You Need
Materials and resources to complete this lesson.