Learn about the cultures of the Powhatan Indians, Europeans and Africans who converged in 1600s Virginia and trace Jamestown’s beg
Gain a new perspective on the Revolutionary period, from colonial unrest to the formation of the new nation. Get a sense of everyd
Preview past and current special exhibitions, and delve into in-depth explorations of 17th and 18th century America with our insig
Learn more about teacher programs, student groups, and utilize videos that have been specially selected for the classroom setting.
These videos were made by kids for kids! Get exclusive access to our museums and learn what life was really like in colonial and r
Listen to historical overviews, lectures and interviews related to life in colonial and revolutionary America.
Discover the latest video and lectures brought to you by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
Video and Classroom Instruction Unit
Tobacco was an important crop grown in Virginia and the other southern colonies before the American Revolution and was essential to the economy during colonial times. In this video, two young visitors learn about growing tobacco, why it was called a cash crop, how the farmer exchanged his tobacco for a note rather than cash and how farming changed during and after the war.
Teachers and parents, check out this classroom instruction unit that will bring colonial economics to life for your students! Learners will explore the 18th-century tobacco economy as they watch a short video and engage in vocabulary, graphing and historical analysis activities. Students can test their success as a colonial farmer in the culminating board game activity. A teacher lesson plan, background reading and activity answer keys are included in the unit. Get ready to amaze your students at how fun economics can be!