What Educators Are Saying

HistoryLink.org is used as an education resource from elementary school through college. It is also used by museum and historical society professionals when developing exhibits, education projects, and curriculum materials. Here is what teachers, librarians, and other heritage educators are saying about HistoryLink.org

"HistoryLink.org provides teachers and students with thoughtfully written, well researched articles on Seattle history that are not intimidating in length or content for middle school students. Every year my 7th graders at the Seattle Girls' School work in small groups to create documentary videos on local history through the lens of a particular group (ie: women, Chinese, Latino, Scandinavian, Japanese and African Americans). They used several HistoryLink.org essays for information, ideas, and connections to today. This trusted resource makes teachers' jobs much easier - both in curriculum development and classroom management of independent research. The site brings the past alive through fascinating characters, significant - and often little-known - events and current references that give history relevance in kids' worlds today." Wendy Ewbank, Seattle Girl's School

"I teach 8th grade Social Studies at Chinook Middle School in Bellevue; our curriculum includes a section on Washington State history. HistoryLink.org is a valuable resource tool for research for this unit. As part of our Westward Movement student groups are assigned cities from around Washington State to research. It is here that HistoryLink becomes so important. I like it because the material is well organized, the search is easy and students are successful. At a time when I am trying to expand their skills past "Google" it is nice to have HistoryLink.org as a successful tool. The Education Resource is loaded with valuable information, curricula, and resources." Oralee Kramer, Chinook Middle School

“Thanks for the wealth of resources posted online. Many of my students picked their History Day topics as a result of some of the time we spent in class touring the website. It's a tremendous resource!” Luke Thomas, Mt. Spokane High School

“I love the organization of sections for Educators and for Students with headings and explanations to guide the user. You provide a treasure trove of Washington state resources for educational purposes. Thank you very much!”  Nancy Kuta, NBCT Teacher-Librarian, Juanita high School

“HistoryLink.org, the free online encyclopedia of Washington state history, has become a magnificent source of information that I wish had been available to me when I came here from California to teach.   I learn something every week when I get my weekly update.  If I were still in the classroom, I would be regularly clicking on the "Education" tab to find online curriculum materials, field trip opportunities, referrals to documentaries, storytellers, websites and more.”  Randy Schnabel, History Day

“This easily accessible resource that provides curriculum resources and links to organizations that offer educational resources that meet current Washington state standards is an extremely valuable tool for classroom teachers.”  Selina Danko, Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center

“HistoryLink provides the opportunity to explore Washington history in a format conducive to today’s technological innovations and advances.  In this way, Washington history is accessible to a wider audience. Teachers will find the Education Resource a great source of education materials. ”   Danelle Fedes, Puget Sound Navy Museum

I don't know how we ever taught Washington State History before HistoryLink.org! Our textbooks are old and outdated, but our 8th grade students are able to do excellent research on projects from state geography to Famous Washingtonians thanks to you. Several of our teachers ask students to write about the positive contributions they might make to our state that would result in a profile on HistoryLink.org. You are appreciated! -- Chris Gustafson (Whitman Middle School, Seattle School District, National Board Certified Library Teacher)

HistoryLink.org is an extremely valuable free resource for our teachers. Your site is one of the best (and only) sites that provides detailed information on Washington State history. The articles are always very timely and the photographs are extremely useful for projects about our state. Thank you for making this available free of charge to schools and libraries. The information contained is the best source for our students and I have not found information this accurate and detailed anywhere else. Please accept our profound gratitude with hope that you will be able to continue to provide this extraordinary resource for our students and teachers. -- Christine Kolstoe (Lynnwood Elementary, Librarian)

I thought you might be interested to know that I am using your HistoryLink.org Timeline feature as THE central thread in my course this summer at Eastern Washington University. I will be teaching the class in two locations, our satellite campuses in Spokane and Bellevue. Thanks for your great resource! -- J. William T. Youngs (Chair, Department of History, PAT 200, Eastern Washington University, Cheney)

Thank you so much for making HistoryLink.org available as a free resource for our teachers. Your site is one of the best (and only) sites that provide detailed information on Washington state history. The photographs are extremely useful for all manner of projects and information this accurate and detailed is not readily available elsewhere. -- Joan Maybank (Beverly Elementary School Teacher-Librarian)

I love HistoryLink.org. I have used it since its inception, at first and primarily as an in-depth resource for information and background to build my own curriculum. The past three years, however, I have also sent my Pacific NW History students to HistoryLink for information for their projects. I’m so thankful for this incredible resource and it’s really fun to watch it build and grow. I’m amazed at how much has been added and refined in the past few years. --  Susan P. (Bellevue School District)

When I finally found HistoryLink.org, I was astounded at the ready-made curriculum possibilities on a daily basis, and was (almost) overwhelmed by the amount of information. -- Rod G. (Seattle School District)

To be honest, I have never used HistoryLink.org. The first I heard about this website was during this class. So yesterday I browsed your site and could feel myself getting excited with all the possibilities that are available to my students on your site! I can’t wait to start my unit on the A-Y-P in the fall. I feel like all of my students will be successful on history projects and research with the aid of your site! -- Mary S. (Gregory Heights Elementary, Home School Division 401)

Gives students a better place than Wikipedia. Great point of take off for learning. -- Elisa V. (SAC School, Spokane --  ESD101)

I look mainly for visual images that can flavor the stories I tell. Also resources for kids doing individual research at home or at school, so HistoryLink.org is a valuable resource.  -- Peter J. (Bertschi School)

HistoryLink.org is valuable in the way it organizes and presents useful/interesting information for teachers and students. -- Colin W. (Canyon Park Junior High)

This is a valuable resource. It puts in one place many resources and information which will enrich my student curriculum. It has been very helpful. -- Verleeta W. (Garfield High School, Seattle School District)

I use HistoryLink.org to prepare myself for lectures or to gain background knowledge. I also use this site for students’ research projects – to help my students find sources. -- Susi G. (Ellensburg School District)

My students learn best and are engaged more with research and presentation projects…reading from a text is “BORING”… HistoryLink will be a huge resource for them as Washington state texts/books are so limited through our district and library. I can’t wait for the first assigned project to begin. -- Mollie B. (Seattle School District)

When I’m looking online for a unit or lecture for my 12th grade Humanities class, I start with Google and HistoryLink.org. I suggest my students do the same. I used to provide warnings to my students about Google – but never about HistoryLink.org .-- Shawn M. (Franklin High School, Seattle School District)

I just found out about the link. It would be great to have a representative come to schools to explain HistoryLink.org. — Hazel (Valley Elementary Valley, Highline School District)

I am a subscriber. I use it for my own research. I refer students to it (which I will do even more often now on because this year we expand to 8th grade and Pacific NW History). -- John B. (Orca K-8, Seattle School District)

I just discovered HistoryLink.org this week through MOHAI’s Teacher’s Institute. I am very excited to have this resource to share with my students (and fellow colleagues). I also enjoy it for personal growth in learning about history of Washington state. I also work with the Washington state Geographic Alliance as VP. I am creating geography curriculum of Washington state and HistoryLink.org will be so helpful in gathering evidence of geographic changes in Washington history. -- Meghan H. (St. Philomena School)

It is a dedicated history resource. I suggest students begin a search there rather than Google/Wiki. It is a trusted source. -- Jeffrey W. (Seattle School District)

HistoryLink.org has provided valuable info when I have been in a time crunch and limited by time restraints. HistoryLink.org has been great. -- Carol D. (Ellensburg School District)

It is important to me to have dependable, authentic resources available to my students that are easily accessible. I like your website because it is very engaging. -- Diana D. (Seattle School District)

I was a big fan of Walt Crowley and initially used the link to research the history of civil rights in Seattle, then continued to use it as a resource for myself, then encouraged my students to use it. -- Pam H. (Ballard High School, Seattle School District)

My students have used HistoryLink.org as a resource for projects concerning Pacific NW History. I loved that you have so many varied materials. Also, it is very important to me to have materials available to my students and I that are from reliable trustworthy sources. -- Pamela M.

As a relatively new library media specialist I have used your website to search for pertinent resources to supplement 4th & 5th grade social studies curriculum. I have read and shared biographical sketches with classrooms and provided a link for teachers. And I’ve read various articles for my own pleasure and information. -- Lona Sepessy (Sunrise Elementary Teacher - Librarian)

I personally use HistoryLink.org at least once per week as a reference for any number of historic time periods or events I am researching. We also list it on our website under “Homework Helper” as it is an invaluable source of credible, easy to navigate information on regional history.  -- Tara McCauley, White River Valley Museum Education Director

State Library staff uses HistoryLink.org to research events and people from Washington in preparing handouts, presentations, and responses to patrons.  The essays provide wonderful overviews of historical periods and events. -- Beth Bowden/Digital Projects Librarian, Washington State Library

Museum staff uses HistoryLink.org for general research on local history and for beginning exhibition research, as well as for information for development of curriculum. -- Charlene Mano Chen, Education Director, Wing Luke Asian Museum

On my bulletin board are the letters "See Ah Ksch" with notes to myself (snake sound, no 's' on end, tongue up in back) on how to say correctly Chief Seattle's name with visiting schoolchildren.  They are fascinated that it is not "Sealth,"-- that it is not 'Seattle,"--  but  a version they have not heard.  I always send the students back to the classroom with the HistoryLink.org website to listen to teacher and linguist Vi Hilbert for themselves, I know that it will lead to further great discoveries for the students!  -- Andrea Mercado, Director of Log House Museum

I love how HistoryLink.org makes rich, quality content about Washington State so accessible to students and teachers. They are creating the foundation for the textbooks of the future. – Tom Ikeda, Executive Director of Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project

Primary sources, as important as they are, cannot stand alone in any historical project.  As a facility holding US Federal Government records from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, National Archives patrons and staff members often rely on the well-written and well-documented articles on History Link.org.  These articles can provide the necessary background information and further research ideas needed in order to understand and analyze the precious records that are our American heritage. – Carol Buswell, Education Specialist, National Archives at Seattle

My students used HistoryLink.org for many research projects at Cleveland High School. One that really comes to mind was an exhibit that two young Hispanic girls created about the Sorrento Hotel. Although they were not especially strong students, they were interested in learning more about the Sorrento because one of them was related to an owner along the way and the other student’s aunt did cleaning in the hotel. They began their research with HistoryLink.org and were able to find important primary sources for advanced research through the comprehensive sourcing that accompanied each essay. The girls displayed a rare confidence in their classroom project because they had a strong starting point with HistoryLink.org resources, and their final display and presentation was accurate and professionally done. --Faith Beatty, Cleveland High School, Seattle School District