Kentucky Virtual Library

National History Day Partnership Proposal

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is seeking partner institutions that will help grow Kentucky’s National History Day (KNHD) locally by serving as a community program hub. As such an organization will use existing capacity to assist students, teachers and parents with KNHD projects and disseminate program information.

KNHD is the state affiliate of the National History Day program – a yearlong history research project and academic competition for students in grades 4-12 (full program description is attached). KHS administers the state National History Day program. Currently over 500 students across the Commonwealth participate in KNHD.

As a partner, your organization will serve as the local KNHD headquarters by:

• Promoting the KNHD program to library patrons;
• Highlighting locally available research and historical resources in your collections;
• Assisting students in accessing information about and researching various historical topics;
• Providing how-to workshops for teachers and students (optional but encouraged); and
• Distribution program and contest information to parents, teachers and students.

As the KNHD administrator, KHS will provide each partner the following (at no cost):

• Annual KNHD information (e.g. theme books, content rulebooks, banners, bookmarks and other NHD-themed decorative and promotional materials);
• Admission for up to two staff members to a annual regional train-the-trainer session;
• Recognition at the KNHD state contest; and
• Publicity and promotion in all KNHD materials distributed to local parents, teachers, and students.

National History Day is a strong and expanding program. While engaged in a meaningful, hands-on, and competition-based project, it exposes students to 21^st century skills and importance of research and history. Kentucky has the potential to build a top tier, nationally-competitive program. Our students need the support of local institution to make this leap. Please consider becoming a local Kentucky National History Day partner.

If you have any questions or wish to become the KNHD headquarters in your community please contact Tim Talbott at 502-564-1792, ext. 4428, or tim.talbott@ky.gov.