Purpose: The Eney Map is a useful tool in introducing visitors to the world in which Robert Long lived and worked. The map illustrates the geographic setting of Fell's Point, provides information about the people who lived here, and gives clues to the work they did. A focused examination of the map is an appropriate initiation into the world of Robert Long and Fell's Point in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. After examining and analyzing the Eney Map, visitors will be able to:
Describe Fell's Point as a planned community
Hypothesize the primary economic activities of Fell's Point as closely linked to the maritime industry
Use illustrations of houses and their locations on the map to speculate social and economic differences among residents of Fell's Point
Procedure: The docent should have the following materials available when implementing this learning experience:
A sufficient number of Eney Maps in order to provide one map for every two visitors
An Eney Map on display to which the docent may refer during the learning experience
Sufficient copies of the Visitor Resource Sheet, "Investigating Fell's Point in 1800," to provide each visitor with a copy (or one copy for every two visitors if you use small groups)
Pencils
Appropriate pictures or a timeline placed around the room (or available to visitors on paper) to enhance the learning atmosphere
1. Introduce the learning experience by briefly describing the modern Fell's Point area. Transition to the learning experience by saying:
Baltimore City and Fell's Point were not always as you see them today. In the past they were smaller but had much potential to grow. Today we are going to turn back the clock two hundred years and try to find out what Fell's Point looked like in the early years of our national history.
Then ask:
What are some resources to use when we want to find out about the past? (Get several responses from visitors. For example, they may suggest history books, diaries, letters, etc.)
2. Inform visitors that they are going to examine a map of Fell's Point that shows what the area was like around the year 1800. Distribute the Eney Maps to every two visitors. Orient the visitors to the map by pointing out the location of the Visitor's Center and Long House. Have visitors briefly examine the map, and ask:
What information does the map show? (Responses: How Fell's Point looked in
1800; the shoreline streets, houses, etc.)
3. Have visitors examine the map more closely in order to answer the question, "What was Fell's Point like in 1800?" Distribute Visitor Resource Sheet, "Investigating Fell's Point in 1800." Inform visitors that the Resource Sheet will assist them in their quest for information. Have visitors put their names on the Visitor's Resource Sheets, and tell them they will be collected for their teacher. Ask visitors to use the map to answer the questions on the Resource Sheet. Circulate among the visitors, assisting and answering questions when necessary. Do not provide answers for them that they can get from the map. Instead, lead them to arrive at the answers themselves. Allow sufficient time to complete the study of the map (15-20 minutes).
When time is up or when most visitors have completed their Resource Sheets, get everyone's attention and ask the following questions getting several responses:
What information did you discover about Fell's Point in 1800 that was new to you? Where there any surprises? Would you have liked to live in Fell's Point in 1800? Why or why not? How is the Fell's Point you see on the map different from the one you saw as you arrived here?
Summary: The summary question that follows may be completed
either now or the next class day by the teacher. If left to complete
in class the next day, collect the Resource
Sheets and give them to the teacher.
When you consider all of the information you have interpreted from the map, how would you describe Fell's Point and the people who lived here around the year 1800? (Responses will vary, but most will include the fact that there were large houses and small ones; people worked at shipyards and farming and were also merchants and sea captains; etc.)