Reflection
I wanted to research something historical in or around my town, Forest City, North Carolina. I found a lot of information, but nothing caught my eye...
Until, talking with my son's history teacher, he suggested I look into the Bechtler Mint. The what?
I was shocked at the information I found! Just a few miles from this little country town, the first gold in America was discovered by a German immigrant. Then, right in my county, a private mint developed by another German immigrant, who made the first gold $1 coin.
I could not believe it. I had no idea there was a gold rush in America before the infamous California Gold Rush and the "49-ers". Another astonishing fact is that the founder of this local gold rush and the founder of the first $1 gold coin both moved to America from Germany. My American pride somewhat plummeted, as I humbly realize Americans didn't do it all. Throughout the research, I could not wait to see what I would discover next.
I would love to show this project to a group of fifth graders studying North Carolina History. In a small town, we have a tendency to think all good things happen in the big cities. This has been eye-opening for me, as it would be for a group of knowledge-hungry children. North Carolina Essential Standard 5.g.1 seeks to teach children to, "Understand how human activity has and continues to shape the United States". I would use this to help children discover they can do anything, just as these men in this project did. But what's more is these men were honorable and trustworthy. They left huge marks on history and did nothing wrong ethically. The only words said about them were words of their integrity.
I thank Dr. Bruce VanSledright for pushing me to look further. I thank Matt Daigle for pointing me to this secret in a small town.
Until, talking with my son's history teacher, he suggested I look into the Bechtler Mint. The what?
I was shocked at the information I found! Just a few miles from this little country town, the first gold in America was discovered by a German immigrant. Then, right in my county, a private mint developed by another German immigrant, who made the first gold $1 coin.
I could not believe it. I had no idea there was a gold rush in America before the infamous California Gold Rush and the "49-ers". Another astonishing fact is that the founder of this local gold rush and the founder of the first $1 gold coin both moved to America from Germany. My American pride somewhat plummeted, as I humbly realize Americans didn't do it all. Throughout the research, I could not wait to see what I would discover next.
I would love to show this project to a group of fifth graders studying North Carolina History. In a small town, we have a tendency to think all good things happen in the big cities. This has been eye-opening for me, as it would be for a group of knowledge-hungry children. North Carolina Essential Standard 5.g.1 seeks to teach children to, "Understand how human activity has and continues to shape the United States". I would use this to help children discover they can do anything, just as these men in this project did. But what's more is these men were honorable and trustworthy. They left huge marks on history and did nothing wrong ethically. The only words said about them were words of their integrity.
I thank Dr. Bruce VanSledright for pushing me to look further. I thank Matt Daigle for pointing me to this secret in a small town.