About This Lesson
This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file, "Fort Frederica National Monument" (with photographs), the National Park Services visitors guide for Fort Frederica National Monument, and data from the parks archives. It was written by Marion Robinson, a former Park Ranger at Fort Frederica National Monument. TwHP is sponsored, in part, by the Cultural Resources Training Initiative and Parks as Classrooms programs of the National Park Service. This lesson is one in a series that brings the important stories of historic places into the classrooms across the country.
Where it fits into the curriculum
Topics: The lesson can be used in American history units on colonization, in geography courses, and in social studies courses dealing with demography and planned communities.
Time period: Colonial/Revolutionary
Relevant United States History Standards for Grades 5-12
Relevant Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
Find your state's social studies and history standards for grades Pre-K-12
Objectives for students
1) To explain Great Britain's and Spain's struggle for control of the land between South Carolina and Florida.
2) To describe the military skirmishes between Georgia's colonists and the Spanish forces of Florida.
3) To relate why the town of Frederica and Fort Frederica were established.
4) To consider what daily life was like for the inhabitants of the town of Frederica.
5) To debate the value of preserving ruins of historic sites verses reconstructing them for the public.
6) To compare the town of Frederica with their own community, as well as 20thcentury planned communities.
Materials for students
The materials listed below either can be used directly on the computer or can be printed out, photocopied, and distributed to students. The maps and images appear twice: in a low-resolution version with associated questions and alone in a larger, high-quality version.
1) two maps of the Southeast;
2) two readings that describe the development and the decline of the town and its adjoining fort;
3) two illustrations that show the defensive purpose of the fort and the layout of the town;
4) a drawing and photo related to the site.
Visiting the site
Located on St. Simons Island, 12 miles from Brunswick, Georgia, Fort Frederica National Monument is maintained by the National Park Service. It can be reached via U.S. 17 and the F. J. Torras Causeway. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except December 25. For more information, write the Superintendent, Route 9, P.O. Box 286-C, St. Simons Island, GA 31522-9710 or visit the park's Web page.