Dear Unboxers, When I founded this company in 2014, I could never have imagined how much it would grow. I am thankful to each and every one of you for joining us on our time travel adventure. We started out as a tiny team shipping boxes from my basement once a month to our ancient history subscribers. All of the orders fit in the back of a minivan! As time went on, we started using a fulfillment center in Utah to pack and ship boxes for our growing group of time travelers. And in June of 2023, we finally brought…
History Unboxed at the HUB Grand Opening: Unveiling a World of Educational Delights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE History Unboxed at the HUB Grand Opening: Unveiling a World of Educational Delights Warrenton, VA – January 22, 2024 – History Unboxed®, the renowned educational company specializing in hands-on history experiences, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its retail location, “History Unboxed® at the HUB.” The event is set to take place on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 29 Culpeper Street, Warrenton, VA, starting at 9:30 am. The grand opening will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from Owner, Elizabeth Hauris, and Creative Director, Stephanie Hanson. Attendees can expect a memorable experience that combines history,…
Antiquities in the Roman Era
From where we sit in time, it’s easy to lump the past together into one category, but even people living in eras long before our own could gaze in wonder at ruins and artifacts from times still older. For example, when Cleopatra looked out her window at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, she was looking at something that was built further in the past from her lifetime than we are from Cleopatra. When we see old buildings or artifacts in a museum today, we open our minds to imagine life in another era and attempt to connect ourselves with those…
DON’T play this game (but we do have some that you can do instead!)
Guest post by Rebecca H. McCormick. Rebecca is a writer and editor based in Fairfax, Virginia. She has a passion for history education and holds an MA in History of Decorative Arts. Rebecca believes that hands-on history and interacting with objects helps learning come alive for children and adults. ‘Tis the season for getting cozy and playing games as a family. As the days get shorter, you can dust off your Monopoly, the Royal Game of Goose, or perhaps your senet board from Ancient Egypt Unboxed. But there is one historic holiday game that we…
History Unboxed is Hiring!
History Unboxed® is Hiring! Join Our Team! Are you a history buff with a passion for education? We want YOU to be a part of our journey at History Unboxed® at the HUB! About Us: Discover a world of hands-on history educational materials with History Unboxed®. We’re on a mission to make history fun, interactive, and accessible for all ages! Position: Part-Time Retail Clerk If you’re a history enthusiast who loves engaging with people, this role is perfect for you! As a Part-Time Retail Clerk, you’ll help customers explore and purchase our exciting educational materials. What You’ll Do: Assist customers…
A Brief History of Book Banning
It’s Banned Book Week! This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Read!” In this blog post we are going to talk a little bit about the history of banning books, and give you a few suggestions on banned books that can be paired with specific History Unboxed® boxes. Let’s get started! Banned Book Week was started in 1982. At that time book banning had really ramped up and activists wanted to fight to make sure books were accessible to everyone. Each year, The Office of Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association compiles a list of the most challenged books of…
Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources
Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th, and runs through October 15th. This year’s theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America. The celebration starts on September 15th because that was the day that many Central American countries gained their independence. Like many of our month-long celebrations, Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared that Hispanic Heritage would now be celebration over the course of a month, starting on September 15th. To learn about Hispanic Heritage Month, check out Hispanic Heritage Month Unboxed. In…
The Royal Game of Goose: Boards & Bones Sneak Preview!
The Royal Game of Goose: Boards & Bones Sneak Preview! At History Unboxed®, we believe that beings “hands-on” with history is the best way to learn. And what better way to be hands on than to play historic board games? Board games can be chance, skill, or a combination of both. They are also educational and many historic games are thought to teach life lessons or skills. Games have been played in all cultures, time periods, and lands. In fact, they were so important that many cultures preserved both game boards and game pieces in tombs for their inhabitants to…
Tradition and Travel: How the Honolulu International Airport Honors Its Culture
Tradition and Travel: How the Honolulu International Airport Honors Its Culture As one of the most racially and ethnically diverse states in the US, Hawaii has a rich culture and heritage. Customs and traditions from the islands’ indigenous roots continue to flourish, and Hawaii has also become home to immigrant populations from countries like China, Japan, and the Philippines. This openness has highlighted the importance of Asian American and Pacific Islander history in preventing prejudice against Asian Americans and better empowering them to embrace their identities. Since Hawaii also welcomes millions of tourists annually, it is equally essential that travelers…
Sneak Peak: Native Alaska Unboxed
Sneak Peak: Native Alaska Unboxed In this blog post we are going to give you a sneak peak at our upcoming Native Alaska Unboxed, planned to release in early fall. In this box, we have focused on the Native Alaskan people who were spread across the habitable regions of what is now Alaska prior to 1750. You’ll learn about these different groups, explore their art and culture, understand the importance of animals, and learn terminology specific to Native Alaskans. Looking for more on the Indigenous people of Americas? All of our American History boxes include Indigenous history reviewed by Indigenous…
History Camp: On the Road
History Camp: On the Road! We are about halfway through summer and there are still places to go and people to see! There are many fun things that you can do not only augment all of that learning you’ve done over the past year and give a leg up for the upcoming year, but can make those long hours on the road fun. Read on for some fun things to do in the car, plane, or train whether your trip is long or short! Be sure to also check out Check out History Unboxed® coloring books. Available in both paper…
History Camp: Rainy Day Learning
I don’t know where you all live, but here in the northeast United States, its been raining. A LOT. There are only so many rainy day hikes and splashing in puddles in that my kids want to do, so I’ve been on the hunt for some indoor activities that are fun for them and will also support their learning. Read on for some ideas from History Camp, rainy day edition! Did you pick up one of our three-box history camp bundles? We have bundles for Ancient History, Middle Ages, and American History! This post will predominantly give ideas for the…
The HUB: Bringing History & Community to Life
Get ready to go on a journey back in time with Old Town Warrenton’s brand-new history maker space. Experience the past through art, historical technology, games, stories, music, and more. See how technology has evolved from hand tools to cutting-edge technology like 3D printers. Our community space will welcome all ages through events such as book clubs, historic board games, story times, cosplay and hands-on classes, and guest teachers. History Unboxed® recently announced a round of crowdfunding for $20,000. These funds will be used to create a community space called The HUB for kids and teens in Old Town Warrenton.…
Historical Research: Wikipedia
This week we are starting a new series on historical research. In this blog post we will focus on historical research using Wikipedia, and its strengths and weaknesses. This post is by Stephanie Hanson, History Unboxed’s® Creative Director. When I was majoring in history, I had to write a senior thesis. The course was called “1968” and my topic had to center around major events that took place in that year. I knew I wanted to write about the American Indian Movement, but had zero background knowledge other than their occupation of Alcatraz Island. My research required primary sources and…
Why It’s Important to Teach Asian American & Pacific Island History All Year Long
As this year’s Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month comes to a close, History Unboxed® is bringing you a guest blog post by Rachel Juliette on the importance of teaching Asian & Pacific Islander history, not just during the month of May, but the whole year through. The U.S. has always had deep ties with Asia, but most schools don’t discuss this in depth. Professor Sohyun An of Kennesaw State University tells TIME that Asians were part of the United States before many white European immigrants came to the country. Unfortunately, most K-12 American history texts barely discuss this…
A History of Memorial Day: Celebrating those Who Died in Battle
Did you know that Memorial Day wasn’t always called Memorial Day? If you ask your parents or grandparents they might remember the holiday being called Decoration Day. It wasn’t until 1967 that the holiday became officially known as Memorial Day. It was established as a federal holiday on May 13th, 1938 and is celebrated on the last Monday in May. In this blog post we’ll talk about the history of Memorial Day and its origins in Decoration Day, and some ways that people celebrate the holiday that carry on the original spirit of honoring those who died in military service.…
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month in the United States. It is a time for “hundreds of organizations and Americans of all backgrounds [to] [join] together to discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience from the dawn of our nation to the present day.” In this blog post we’ll talk about the history of Jewish American Heritage Month, the history of the first Jewish community in New Amsterdam (later New York), and share some educational resources and activities for your learners. Despite the first Jewish community in North America forming in 1654, a commemorative month-long celebration…
History of Languages in the Philippines by Pia Villanueva-Pulido
In celebration of Asian-American & Pacific Islander History Month, we are bringing you a special guest blog post on the history of language in the Philippines by Pia Villanueva-Pulido! Pia is an award-winning English and Humanities educator for the Gifted and Talented, a storyteller, a published freelance writer, and children’s author. She was born in Manila, Philippines and grew up in Texas, and she calls herself a “Texapina” because she considers both Texas and the Philippines as her home. She lives in Dallas with her husband, her daughter, and her soul dog Mugsy. Take your Asian-American & Pacific Islander History…
Plymouth Rock
In this blog post we are going to talk about the history of Plymouth Rock, the mythological stepping stone upon which the Pilgrims first stepped when they landed in the New World. To learn more about the Mayflower, the Pilgrims, and the Indigenous Wampanoag People check out Plymouth Unboxed or Thanksgiving Unboxed downloadable lesson. I don’t know about you, but when I think about the Mayflower pilgrims landing in New England, I picture them stepping out of their ship and onto on a big rock, looking around and surveying the new world. But, like most mythologies, thats not exactly how…
What was the Viking Revival? + Viking Resources
In this blog post, we are sharing 19th-century architecture, music, and art that were inspired by increased interest in the Vikings, often called the Viking Revival, as well as some learning resources to enhance your Vikings hands-on learning kit. Are you looking for more Middle Ages hands-on activities? Check out our Anglo-Saxon box! As you’ve been learning in Vikings Unboxed, the people who we call Vikings today did not call themselves ‘Vikings’ but rather Ostman, meaning ‘east men,’ Norsemen, and Danes. There’s a lot of uncertainty about where the term ‘Viking’ came from, and you can read about the one…
Learning Resources for Ancient Pompeii
I don’t know about you, but when I think about what the city of Pompeii looked like immediately after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, I envision a city completely buried by ash and dirt. But the city wasn’t completely buried, and tops of houses, sculptures, and other artifacts would have been poking up out of the dirt, giving those returning after the eruption a guide for where to dig. Survivors and grave robbers returning to the covered city after the eruption was over dug and tunneled in to get personal items and steal valuables. While the city…
A Brief History of April Fools’ Day!
Would it surprise you to learn that April Fools’ Day, celebrated every year on April 1, has been celebrated for thousands of years in many countries and communities around the world? Today, April Fools’ Day is generally celebrated as a day of mischievous and (hopefully) harmless pranks put on by both individuals and mass media, but it hasn’t always been that way. Let’s explore the mostly true history of April Fools’ Day. Want more info on calendars? Check out our Calendars Unboxed downloadable lesson. Ready to leave the winter behind and dive into some Spring learning? Check out Spring Unboxed…
Women’s History Month Teatime
March is Women’s History Month and here at History Unboxed® we figured that it’s time for a Women’s History Month teatime. Check out the graphic below to learn about how Women’s History Month came to be. We’ve compiled a list of poetry and short readings we think lend themselves well to a Women’s History Month themed teatime. But first, the tea and snacks! Looking for more Women’s History Month lessons? Check out Women’s History Unboxed: Storytellers and Women’s History Unboxed: Healers & Hope. American Tea Gown, 1875-80. Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. Tea gowns…
Roman numerals, The Ides of March, and the Roman Calendar
We’ve all heard the saying “Beware the Ides of March” right? The saying, from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, was said by a soothsayer warning the Emperor of the coming assassination. While we have no evidence that Caesar was actually warned ahead of time, the Ides of March has most famously become associated with that fateful day. While many people know that the Ides of March is the 15th of March, many don’t know what it actually meant and what its role in the Roman calendar was. Would it surprise you to know that the Ides of March was a sacred…
Black History Month Poetry Teatime
Poetry teatime is a wonderful way for parents and children to connect – whether you are a homeschooling family or looking to spend time together after a day or school or work. This month is special because it’s Black History Month and there is a rich history of poetry and verse that you can explore. Visit The Poetry Foundation for an extensive list of poems, podcasts, and other resources for Black voices. Support a Black-owned business like Green Heffa Farms or Just Add Honey (or google Black owned tea company) and get yourself some delicious tea and bake up some…