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 three programs:

1. The Pre-Collegiate Summer Program In Early American History offers high school juniors and seniors 4 hours of college credit at the College of William and Mary for a three-week academic course. Students may select 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. Both are offered during Session I and Session II. To have a brochure mailed to you, contact us by email or telephone 757-221-7652. To have a brochure mailed to you, contact us by email or telephone 757-221-7652.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRE-COLLEGIATE PROGRAM FACT SHEET

2. The Williamsburg 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 coursework. It is open to students in any discipline at the College of William and Mary and to students from other colleges and universities who would like to study in Williamsburg for an academic year. The program includes a variety of special courses in several departments at the College of William and Mary, many of them taught by experts from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. To have a brochure mailed to you, contact us by email or telephone 757-221-7652.

3. The Williamsburg Semester-in-Residence Program in Early American History offers students from colleges and universities world-wide the opportunity to study early America for a Fall or a Spring at the College of William and Mary through courses taught "on-site" at historic places, including especially Colonial Williamsburg but extending to many other museums in the Chesapeake region. This four-course program also includes an advanced readings seminar in early American history, plus an elective course. To have a brochure mailed to you, contact us by email or telephone 757-221-7652.

Dr. Carolyn S. Whittenburg is the Director of the National Institute of American History and Democracy. 

Dr. Susan A. Kern is the Director of Internships for the National Institute of American History and Democracy.

Pre-Collegiate Summer Program | Collegiate Program | Semester-in-Residence Program | College of William and Mary | Colonial Williamsburg