The Gunpowder Girls: Exploring Civil War-Era Arsenals
Three true Civil War tragedies surrounding the lives of young women and girls lost to time but not forgotten.
April Rogers
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(293)
What's included
3 live meetings
3 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Advanced Level
Going on a historical journey to uncover the untold stories of young women and girls who worked in arsenals during the Civil War period, explore the harrowing experiences of these workers, their sacrifices, and the tragedies that befell them. Discover the impact of their labor on the war effort and on society at large. Execution curriculum overview: Class 1 (Allegheny Arsenal): Delve into the event at Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville, PA, on September 18th, 1862. Class 2 (Confederate States laboratory): Explore the tragic incident at the Confederate States laboratory in Richmond, VA, on March 13th, 1863. Class 3 (Washington Arsenal): Investigates the history of Washington in Washington, DC, and the events of June 17th, 1864. Throughout the course, students will analyze the roles of young women in arsenals, the reasons behind their employment, and the repercussions of the deadly explosions. Discussions will focus on accountability, historical context, and the lasting impact of these events. Class structure: Each class session will combine lectures, interactive discussions, and multimedia presentations to bring the history to life. Students will engage with primary sources, images, and documents to deepen their understanding of the arsenals and the experiences of the young women who worked there. A PowerPoint presentation will supplement the learning materials provided.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum3 Lessons
over 3 WeeksLesson 1:
Allegheny Arsenal, Lawrenceville, PA.
Week 1, we will explore the vital role of women in civil war ammunition production, focusing on their work in cartridge rooms, especially in room #6, the caps cylinder room period we will discuss the importance of ammunition production for the war effort, the challenges faced by workers, and the risk involved. We will examine how investigations were conducted to determine the cause of the tragic events resulting from a single spark. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Confederate States Laboratory, Richmond, VA
Week 2, we will explore the historical context of the Confederate States laboratory in Richmond, VA, and the significance of the explosion. We will trace the route from 7th St. to Browns Island, examining their operations during the Civil War period. We will investigate the involvement of African American women in Confederate arsenals, discuss friction primers and the part they played in the explosion, and explore the investigation and support efforts after the critical incident. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Washington Arsenal, Washington DC
Week 3, we will explore the Washington arsenal in Washington, DC, and the tragic explosion. We will discuss the experiences of the government girls who worked at the arsenal located at Greenleaf Point, and the response to the disaster, including investigations and the coroner's inquest. Additionally, we will look at the themes of death and decorum in the aftermath, the funeral procession, and the lasting monument that honors the event. 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class is intentionally designed to support learners with unique learning needs, including ADHD, dyslexia, and neurodivergent individuals. Various strategies will be implemented to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment
Parental Guidance
All material covered during class is age appropriate. Parents are welcome to sit in during class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2017
4.8
293reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I hold a BA in History with minors in Women's Studies and Humanities as well as an MA in History. My area of specialty is women's history (My studies also include the history of Women of Color and Indigenous Women), and American (United States) history from the 1560s to the 1960s. I recently completed continuing education courses covering World History from 1200 to the present, Early European History, and Modern European History. Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly or $50 for 3 classes1x per week, 3 weeks
60 min
Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-15 learners per class
