With Gratitude

This book grew from a partnership between Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the Center for History Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and Historic London Town and Gardens, and was funded through the U.S. Department of Education's Teaching American History Grant Program. The stories were researched and written by teachers Betsy Crooks, Lauren Frey, Heather Giustiniani Peddicord, Diana Hanson, Lynette Harbeson, Elaine Price, Carol Thornton, and Harmony Quinn through graduate coursework at UMBC. Dr. Marjoleine Kars, Chair and Associate Professor of History at UMBC, oversaw the courses and was the project's historian. Mary Davis served as the cohort's resource teacher and book editor. Zetta V. Hart was the consultant reading specialist. Rachel Brubaker, UMBC Center for History Education, directed the digital project. Dr. Holly Brewer, Burke Professor of American History and Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, was a digital project advisor and editor. Jennifer Braithwait Darrow edited the storybook and digital materials. The digital book and website were designed by the UMBC New Media Studio.

The teachers consulted primary sources, and relied on secondary sources and other resources, to craft the stories and make the connections between what is known and what can be inferred about the lives of the children at Colonial London Town. The history of children has often been constructed from knowledge of social behavior and accounts found in source materials.

The staff at Historic London Town and Gardens and the Lost Towns Project provided valuable assistance throughout the research process. Thanks are given to Rod Cofield, Executive Director, and Lisa Robbins, Director of Public Programs, who assisted the process from research to publication. This book would not be possible without her support. Terry Poisson, Anne Arundel County Public Schools Coordinator of Social Studies and the Teaching American History grant director, channeled her support, enthusiasm, and grant funds, to ensure that this project would be disseminated in Anne Arundel County classrooms and beyond.

Finally, we thank the following students and family members for their help in bringing the book to life: Sincere Brown, Genna Godley, Kira Godley, Emerson Hanlon, Curran Haywood, Michael Haywood, Morgan Jung, Alora May, Gabriel Rudzinski, Liam Rudzinski, Deanna Schmidt, and Marissa Schmidt.