Research Resources
The NCBLA and its educational advisors offer useful information, guidance, and resources that will assist you in increasing young people’s research skills. We also include both primary and secondary source information and resources that will assist you in broadening young people’s knowledge related to American History, the presidency, and the White House.
Click a category or scroll down to discover all of the research resources we have gathered to help you whet young people’s appetites for inquiry and research and to expand their critical thinking skills.
• Helping Young People Utilize Libraries
• Secondary Sources: Book and Web Sources on the Presidents and the White House
• Primary Sources: Early Documents and First-Hand Accounts
• Websites
Helping Young People Utilize Libraries
The Library, A Place of Discovery
Tips for making the most out of your visit to the library.
Research Tips for Parents and Teachers
Motivate young people to conduct research by making the process a treasure hunt.
Secondary Sources: Book and Web Sources on the Presidents and the White House
Presidents, the President’s House, and More
A Select List of Books (and a Few Web Sources) for Children and Young Adults
Primary Sources: Early Documents and First-Hand Accounts
America’s Founding Documents
Complete text of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and all Amendments in an easy-to-read, scroll, and search format. Links to extensive educational resources for further research also included.
The New Federal City
Documents and first-person accounts include: letter excerpts from Washington, Jefferson, and Pierre L’Enfant; newspaper accounts; and visitors’ observations of the new Federal City.
George Washington’s Vision of His City on the Potomac
Articles and primary source materials concerning George Washington’s vision of the new nation’s capital city and its development.
The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, the First White House Correspondence
Information and resources regarding the letters of John and Abigail Adams, including the text of a letter from President John Adams to First Lady Abigail Adams.
Dolley Madison’s Letter to Her Sister About the Burning of the White House
Resources for helping young people understand the legend of Dolley Madison using multiple sources.
The War of 1812
First-person accounts, as well as links to additional primary source websites, focused on the War of 1812.
Websites
Great Presidential Inauguration Websites
The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights: Educational Resources