# Lesson 4: Day 3 - Artisans, Inventors and Innovation

## Google Doc from this Lesson

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gomA850ZUG5NU55WusM1sfyWZTFEHCs7mmZQ25%5FQI9U/edit?tab=t.qmco3z5ba25z](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gomA850ZUG5NU55WusM1sfyWZTFEHCs7mmZQ25%5FQI9U/edit?tab=t.qmco3z5ba25z)

## **Activity 1:** Exploring Examples of Black Innovation in 1851

**Overview:** In this activity, students will examine a historical article about the 1851 Colored Mechanics Fair, an overlooked exhibition that showcased the inventions, artwork, and skilled labor of Black artisans in antebellum Philadelphia. Using a series of inquiry-based questions, students will dig into the article like historical investigators—surfacing lesser-known stories.

**Time:** 25 minutes

**Format:** Partners

**Objective:** SWBAT analyze evidence of Black innovation and institution-building in the antebellum era by engaging in text-based inquiry to explore overlooked individuals, inventions, and ideas.

* Create pairs or invite students to find a partner. 
* Explain to students that they will explore examples of Black innovation by reading about the Colored Mechanics Fair that happened in Philadelphia in 1851. 
* Invite students to embark on a fact-finding mission by using the article [__Finding The Forgotten Exhibition of Black Inventors and Artisans in 1851 (Quinones, 2024)__](https://www.1838blackmetropolis.com/post/unearthing-untold-stories-the-forgotten-exhibition-of-black-inventors-and-artisans-from-1851) to explore ​ [__Examples of Black Innovation in 1851__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mU8bIHyuuHHSCY4Xmu7IAGGykV6r4IFh8WEyDOvMIjc/edit?tab=t.0).
* * Ask students to make their own copy of [__Examples of Black Innovation in 1851- Make a copy__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mU8bIHyuuHHSCY4Xmu7IAGGykV6r4IFh8WEyDOvMIjc/copy)
* Circulate as students work, encouraging them to cite specific details when responding.


## **Activity 2:** Virtual Colored Mechanics Fair

**Overview:** In this activity, students will explore a virtual interpretation of the 1851 Colored Mechanics Fair using an interactive digital exhibit. Students will evaluate fair participants using a four-part rubric designed to mirror the goals of the original exhibition: to highlight creativity, usefulness, representation, and impact. 

**Time:** 25 minutes

**Format:** Whole Group/ Individual

**Objective:** SWBAT evaluate historical contributions, assessing the significance of Black innovators and artisans featured in the Colored Mechanics Fair of 1851.

* Tell students that they’ll act as judges for the Colored Mechanics Fair, imagining themselves as attendees in 1851.
* Project the [__Colored Mechanics Fair of 1851 Rubric__](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-qpIIVeguml_fnxvDRvg3WS3rkeSzkHTU6XfoGtQtA/edit?usp=sharing) and explain to students that they will select exhibits to evaluate. 
* * Review the rating scale with students.
  * Pause to give students a few moments to the select exhibitors they want to assess. 


* Project the virtual [__Colored Mechanics Fair__](https://1838-black-metropolis.shorthandstories.com/the-colored-mechanics-fair/index.html) and read through each exhibit aloud. 
* * While reading, pause occasionally to give students time to evaluate their exhibitors.
  * Remind students that they should record a score in each category and add a short written explanation.
* If time permits, have students nominate one exhibitor for a *Best of the Fair* award.
* * Call out each participant in the Colored Mechanics Fair and ask students to vote for their  raising their hands  
* Short debrief: 
* * *What do our votes say about what we value?* 
  * *Would people in 1851 have voted the same way?*

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**Documents**

- [L4:3 The Colored Mechanics Fair](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l43-the-colored-mechanics-fair-HOHfozusRK)
- [L4:3 Rubric - Colored Mechanics Fair](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l43-rubric-colored-mechanics-fair-cf8JWVWor0)
- [L4:3 Finding the Forgotten Exhibition of Black Inventors and Artisans in 1851](https://1838blackmetropolis.getoutline.com/s/aa099d92-e5c1-4fa9-ad54-9fd69ac27a28/doc/l43-finding-the-forgotten-exhibition-of-black-inventors-and-artisans-in-1851-Dzf8Eqg2ee)