Cemetery Grave Hunter: Discover DC History

This program runs approximately 90 minutes and is divided into three parts:

Introduction to the Cemetery and Activity Overview: 5–10 minutes

History Hunt Activity: Approximately 80 minutes
Each gravesite visit lasts about 10–15 minutes, with a built-in 10-minute buffer to allow for travel time between sites and smooth transitions to group discussions.

Structure of a Gravesite Visit:
Gravesite Observation & Question Prompts: ~3 minutes
Background History Talk: ~3 minutes
Discussion and Reflection: ~4–9 minutes

Students will work in groups of three to four, sharing a single History Hunt handout that guides their experience. This document includes a thinking routine designed to prompt observations, spark questions, and encourage curiosity about the site. After observing the gravesite, students will gather for a brief history talk facilitated by a cemetery educator. This is followed by a short seminar-style discussion focused on drawing connections between the individual’s story and broader historical themes.

The discussion prompts are intentionally introspective, encouraging students to explore ideas such as historical legacy, identity, diversity, and cultural pluralism. As students walk between sites, they are encouraged to continue conversations within their groups. At the conclusion of the program, each group will present a completed History Hunt and brief evaluation. Every student will receive a commemorative History Hunter acrylic keychain+sticker as a prize.