Shays’ Rebellion and the Making of a Nation: From Revolution to Constitution

FAIN: QI-50006-06

Springfield Technical Community College (Springfield, MA 01105-1700)
Richard Parkin (Project Director: February 2006 to April 2010)

Implementation of a website and public programs about Shays' Rebellion (1786-87) and its influence on the shaping of the U.S. Constitution and the origins of our national identity.

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is requesting $300,000 of a total $599,492 budget to create a premier web-based public program entitled Shays’ Rebellion and the Making of a Nation: From Revolution to Constitution. STCC is located on the site where Shays’ Rebellion occurred in 1787. Working with some of the foremost scholars on the subject, a nationally recognized regional history museum (Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association) and an award-winning web design team, STCC will create a website exhibit for a broad public audience. The website of 150-250 pages will focus on events and themes leading up to Shays' Rebellion and culminating in the creation of the Constitution, and thus supports the We the People initiative. Publicity around the 220th-225th anniversary of Shays' Rebellion will propel the website into public view. STCC's national partnering with community colleges across the country will highlight the website during annual Constitution Day events.