This lesson introduces students to the work of historians and to the historical figure Biddy Mason, an African American woman who lived in Los Angeles in the 19th century. Students practice sourcing and contextualization as they investigate three historical documents to answer the question: Who was Biddy Mason?
Note: This lesson was designed with upper elementary school students in mind but can be used with a wide range of students as an introduction to the field of history.
We developed this lesson as part of a partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District to create lessons about African American history in L.A. Although Biddy Mason is a lesser-known historical figure and her story is exceptional, studying her life offers insights into various national historical topics, including enslavement, westward expansion, and the long African American freedom struggle. To access the other lessons made in this partnership, click here.
Image: Photograph of Biddy Mason from between 1860-1870. From the UCLA Special Collections.