National Institute of American History & Democracy

The National Institute of American History and Democracy (NIAHD) is a partnership between the College of William and Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. It is dedicated to the study of the American past, material culture and museums. The Institute sponsors programs for William and Mary students, students from other colleges and universities, and high school students.

The NIAHD Program for High School Students:

• The Pre-Collegiate Summer Program in Early American History offers high school juniors and seniors four hours of college credit at the College of William and Mary for a three week academic history course. Students may elect to take either "From the Founding of Jamestown through the American Revolution," or "From the American Revolution through the American Civil War." Both courses are taught "on site" at the abundant museums and historic places in the Chesapeake region.

NIAHD Programs for William and Mary Students:

• The Collegiate Program in Early American History, Material Culture, and Museum Studies is a seven course certificate program that combines museum internships, material culture field schools, and course work in early American history and public history. It is open to students in any discipline at the College of William and Mary. The program includes a variety of special courses in several departments at the College of William and Mary, some of which are taught by experts from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

• The Collegiate Summer Program in Early American History is a new program which will offer college students the opportunity to study in historic Williamsburg during the summertime. Additional information will be forthcoming.

NIAHD Programs for Students from Other Colleges and Universities:

• The Semester-in-Residence Program is a four course program which offers students from other colleges and universities the opportunity to study early America for a Fall or a Spring semester at the College of William and Mary. Students take  courses taught "on site" at historic places, including especially Colonial Williamsburg but also extending to many other museums in the Chesapeake region.
• The Year-long Collegiate Program allows students from other colleges and universities to participate in The Collegiate Program in Early American History, Material Culture and Museum Studies along with William and Mary students. (see above) Students from other institutions may study in Williamsburg for an academic year.
• The Collegiate Summer Program in Early American History is a new program which will offer college students the opportunity to study in historic Williamsburg during the summertime. Additional information will be forthcoming.

[[cswhit, Dr. Carolyn S. Whittenburg]] serves as the Institute's Director, and [[sakern, Dr. Susan A. Kern]] serves as its Director of Internships.