Special Collections seeks to connect educators with local history. State history begins in 4th grade and various classes in Social Studies and History are taught through 12th grade. The following resources try to match archival resources with Alabama's specified curriculum standards, with the hope that educators can supplement their curriculum with examples from local Huntsville/Madison County History.
A full list of curriculum standards can be found through the Alabama Department of Education:
2010 Approved Standards
2024 Draft Standards
This is a great resource related to the history of the textile mills in Huntsville, the main industrial force that overtook North Alabama. A notable section of this collection has to do with labor relations, and details the problems inherent in early industrial revolution, with notable details regarding unions and strikes, and how those influenced actions from upper management.
Run time: 10 minutes
Hometown History Video - Women's Suffrage
Run time: 7 minutes
Hometown History Video - Famous Philanthropists
Run time: 9 minutes
Hometown History Video - Buffalo Soldiers
Run time: 4 1/2 minutes
Hometown History Video - Howard Weeden
Run time: 3 minutes
Hometown History Video - Rosenwald Schools
Run time: 7 1/2 minutes
The content on the Teacher Resources pages originated from a Special Collections intern who conducted a survey of Madison City School history and social studies teachers in Fall 2024. Survey findings can be found here: