Educational Resources and Opportunities

What is the Georgia History Festival?

The Georgia History Festival is the signature K-12 educational program of the Georgia Historical Society, reaching hundreds of thousands of students statewide. Beginning with the new school year in September, a variety of public programs, exhibits, events, and educational resources bring history to life for students of all ages and encourage Georgians to explore the richness and diversity of our state’s past. In addition to new online and in-person programming, the Festival includes popular annual events like the Colonial Faire and Muster living-history program held at Wormsloe State Historic Site, Super Museum Sunday, and the elegant Trustees Gala.

Each year, GHS selects a significant topic in Georgia’s history as the focus of the Festival’s educational programs and resources. The 2024-2025 focus of study is “The Reality of Our Liberty”: The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press.

This focus of study, aligned to the Georgia Standards of Excellence, will support students’ understanding of the role that a press free from governmental control has historically played in informing the American people; as a marketplace for competing ideas; and in holding government and our leaders accountable to those who have elected them.

Explore new educational resources and opportunities developed for the 2024-2025 Georgia History Festival below!

Classroom Resources

The Georgia Historical Society has created a collection of classroom resources designed to enhance student understanding of the history and role of newspapers and media in Georgia and America from the founding to today.

The resources include:

“The Reality of Our Liberty”: The First Amendment and Freedom of the Press Classroom Resource Bundle

Sponsored by

The Reality of Our Liberty Activity Booklet

The Reality of Our Liberty Primary Source Set

The Reality of Our Liberty Educators’ Guide

Historical Inquiries

Sponsored by

“A Free Press in a Democracy” Historical Inquiry

“How Have Georgia’s Journalists Influenced Change Throughout the State?” Historical Inquiry

Georgia Day Statewide Student Art Contests

Sponsored by

In keeping with the Georgia History Festival theme, this year’s Georgia Day Statewide Art Contest and Georgia Day Classroom Competition challenge students to explore the topic “Extra! Extra! Headlines in Georgia History.” Using a variety of artistic media, students will illustrate the impact and influence of newspapers and journalists throughout Georgia’s history.

Individual Student Art Contest Guidelines & Submission Information

Classroom Contest Guidelines & Submission Information

Georgia Day Expo in Savannah

February 12, 2025

Sponsored by

Extra! Extra! Headlines in Georgia History. Students explore Georgia history through demonstrations and hands-on activity stations during this commemoration of the founding of Georgia at Savannah on February 12, 1733. Educators, parents, historical interpreters, and community and civic leaders take part in this fun and engaging program that utilizes an all-weather, indoor venue to encourage students to explore the Georgia History Festival theme.

Geared for elementary, with a focus on second grade students studying Georgia history.

Open to public, private, and home school groups with prior registration.

Field Trips to the GHS Research Center

Sponsored by

During the school year, GHS will host field trips to the Research Center. Field trip options will include a theme-based Research Round-Up, designed to show K-12 students how to conduct primary and secondary source research using materials from the GHS collection.

Field trips may be scheduled for Tuesday mornings, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Limit 30 students per program.

To learn more please call 912-651-2125 Ext. 152 or visit georgiahistory.com/field-trips.