The National Institute of American History & Democracy (NIAHD) at William & Mary offers 3 classes in which students analyze, interpret, and discuss key events in American history and the places where these events took place. Students develop college-level reading and writing skills; participate in seminar discussions; and interact with historians, architectural historians, curators, and archaeologists. Pre-College students earn transferable college credit for their work.
The National Institute of American History & Democracy’s Pre-College Program in American History is distinguished among peer programs for its longevity, hands-on approach to the study of history, roots in an historic region, and academic connection to outstanding undergraduate and graduate opportunities.
In the Pre-College Program, we combine public history with social history. That means that our students make daily trips to museums and historic sites to encounter history on a human and concrete scale. Then they combine what they learn from their field experience with seminar readings and faculty-led discussions that connect to larger historical patterns and arguments. We at the National Institute of History & Democracy realize our name in our teaching: American history, and the history of democracy, is the story of many people and kinds of people, and all of these histories belong to everyone.
A recent article on William & Mary's website focuses on NIAHD's approach to teaching history: https://www.wm.edu/as/news/2024-2025/history-is-a-verb-pre-college-program-invites-students-to-actively-engage-with-history.php
Summer 2025 classes:
History 217: The Road to the American Revolution
The Road to the American Revolution begins along the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay where Virginia Indians, English colonists, and enslaved Africans contended for access to land, power, and control. Throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, encounters and conflicts among these peoples shaped and defined colonial politics, religion, society, and culture in Williamsburg and more broadly in Virginia, the largest of Britain's North American colonies. By the early eighteenth century, elite Virginians lived in large homes on plantations; in contrast, most of the colony’s men, women, and children were middling, poor, or enslaved. Some families moved westward in search of economic opportunity or were moved to clear land for new plantations. The Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonists from claiming land west of the proclamation line; this decision prompted Virginians and residents of other colonies to question British regulations, restrictions, and taxes. In 1776, led by men from Virginia, colonists declared independence from Great Britain. What led Virginians to declare independence? How did diverse groups of Virginians and Americans experience the American Revolution?
History 218: The Road to the United States Civil War
The Road to the United States Civil War starts in the 1780s, after the Continental Army’s defeat of British forces at Yorktown in 1781 and the 1783 signing of the Treaty of Paris to formally end the Revolutionary War. Virginians worked to implement new systems of government for both their state and the new nation. Richmond, the state capital, was the place where Virginians wrestled with how to construct their society and government, who would (and would not) get to participate, and what nationhood and citizenship meant to different peoples. The choices they made—or which were made for them—shaped the social, political, and physical landscape of Virginia. Ideas about race, gender, and class were intertwined and, by the middle of the nineteenth century, helped to define a way of life that differed from that in northern states. How did regional differences lead to the Civil War? How do memories, legacies, and myths about the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the “Lost Cause” continue to impact Richmond, Virginia, and the United States?
History 219: American Independence
This course investigates the era of the American Revolution from the perspectives of diverse freedom-seekers in the colonial world as it transformed into the early republic. Students will focus on the period from the end of the French & Indian War, through the revolts of the 1760 and 1770s, into the war for independence, through to the ratification of the United States Constitution. Students in this class will deeply understand the shifting politics, identities, and economies that marked this consequential transition, with an emphasis on the possibilities and contradictions of the rising tides of liberty and democratization.
Daily case studies will allow students to respond to 18th century letters, debate acts of Parliament, and read historic landscapes using 18th century maps. From our home base in Williamsburg, which was once the capital of the populous and powerful colony of Virginia, students will get an immediate contact with the everyday life of artisans, working people, and elites of the 1770s at Colonial Williamsburg’s historic buildings and museums. On travel days, students will come to understand enslaved people’s life choices in plantation contexts, Native peoples’ reorganizing in the west country, the coming of armed warfare on land and at sea, the multinational dynamics of the siege of and U.S. victory at Yorktown, and the basis of the federal order through visiting James Madison’s house at Montpelier.
We offer this course so that students can benefit from the first-rate museum-driven 250th anniversary events reflecting on the legacies of the independence movement in the United States that are currently ongoing.
Cost and Session Information
In Summer 2025, NIAHD will offer three different classes for Pre-College Students.
Session 1, June 22-July 12
History 217: The Road to the American Revolution
History 218: The Road to the United States Civil War
Session 2, July 13-August 2
History 218: The Road to the United States Civil War
History 219: American Independence
Students choose their class and session when they apply to the Pre-College Program.
All three courses are open to all rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as rising college freshmen, regardless of the student’s previous experience taking college classes, and there are no prerequisites for any of NIAHD's Pre-College courses.
NIAHD provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate need. NIAHD does not charge an application fee for any courses offered in the Pre-College Program.
Program Cost: Summer 2025--$6,200.00
The cost of the Pre-College Program covers:
4 hours of transferable college credit from William & Mary
Room and board, including dorm space for all students and chaperone staff for the full session and charges for meals eaten in campus cafeterias and all meals eaten while traveling for class site visits
Daily travel to museums and historic sites, including admission fees, fuel, drivers, and other transportation fees; students’ participation in archaeological digs; and costs of evening speakers and programs
All required readings and course materials--we build and print course packets for easy portability, for use in the field
Application Deadlines
International Students – 5/1/25 for Session 1 and Session 2 Classes
US and US Dual Citizen Students – 5/15/25 for Session 1 Classes
US and US Dual Citizen Students - 6/6/25 for Session 2 Classes
Reviews (12)
Not college, but still ok
Reviewed
on Jul/25/2015 by NiahdIsOkay
I love the College of William and Mary and the campus is beautiful. Due to the fact that the students in this program are minors, the RPAs (Resident Program Assistants) are very scared of losing people and always need to know where we go, when, with who, and the time we get back, which is understandable but sometimes overwhelming in certain situations, especially if we are just on campus. There are a certain amount of people we have to stay with.
The rooms are decent and for the most part the RPAs are easy to get a long with, as well as other students in the program.
Being on the younger side, I have not taken APUSH yet unlike many of the other students therefore sometimes I feel left behind.
The field trips seem to be organized for the most part but if we end early, time is waisted at the site instead of heading back early but then they rush us off because they waist too much time.
Readings are often times long and extremely repetitive and definitely could be condensed.
The food is not great but it is better than most colleges I have been to, just choose wisely.
Daily schedule is usually this:
Wakeup and go to breakfast
Go on a field trip
Back to campus for lunch
maybe 45 minutes of down time (usually)
Seminar (discussion based on readings)
sometimes downtime sometimes lecture
dinner
downtime but should be spent reading but again sometimes a lecture
They do certain fun things like historical dance classes and ice cream runs, ect.
Curfews:
in complex by 9
in building by 10
on floor by 10:30
in room by 11
A lot of time is planned for breakfast and in most cases you can not leave to go back to the dorm because they worry about the time the van will get there and don't want us to be late. The dining hall is maybe 5 minutes away from the dorm MAYBE so it is often frustrating how they hold us there instead of let us leave. Gives me the feeling of communism sometimes.
The "college experience" is not very prominent but the class is okay and the teachers are nice. They are William and Mary Graduate students but the program is overseen by 2 professors, who are sometimes there sometimes not (depending on the program you choose).
The roommate survey is inaccurate (not surprising) and often people are friendly with their roommate but not best friends. Many people that I've talked to would agree it would be better if we had the option of talking to people prior to the program, but it is just the luck of the draw.
If you love history, this program is for you. Surround yourself with positive people you share interests with. Also, do your best to make friends with everyone. It is only 3 weeks so you'll live through it. In the beginning it could be hard to be away from home but it gets better. Be positive through the whole thing even if you learn history is not your life long love- like I did.
Attending NIAHD has truly inspired...
Reviewed
on Oct/19/2013 by NIAHD<3er
Attending NIAHD has truly inspired me in life. I was lucky enough to go two summers in a row and participate in both the Jamestown through Revolution Program and the Revolution through Civil War Program. They were both wonderful! The coolest thing about NIAHD though is that reading, site visits and seminar discussions are all equally important and occur almost every day. I loved having a seminar group to discuss ideas and observations with! I would recommend NIAHD to any student interested in American History.
NIAHD is an amazing program...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by Arri
NIAHD is an amazing program. When I was a teen, I attended both sessions during my high school summers. The material was organized, easy to understand, and very interactive. We visited many Virginia museums, even historical buildings that are now on private property (with permission from the owners of course). There is also a chance to participate at an archaeological dig; NIAHD has partnered with the Fairfield Foundation and offers the students the choice to help excavate Fairfield on their Saturday mornings.
For me personally, NIAHD is the reason why I chose to attend the College of William and Mary. I loved the small classes and the student to teacher ratio. The campus is beautiful and right at the heart of Colonial America! I felt very safe on campus and on the field trips. The Drs. Whittenburg and their associates have the student's safety and concern as their number one priority. One of the best aspects of NIAHD is the credit. A Pre-collegiate receives 4 credits for participating in NIAHD.
I highly recommend this program for all high school students.
I attended the NIAHD Pre-Collegiate...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by Eve
I attended the NIAHD Pre-Collegiate Summer Program in 2011, and it was the best summer experience I have ever had. Not only was I able to expand upon my knowledge of Early American history, but I also made connections that have served me well in college. The seminars were amazing, the fieldtrips were fun, and I am still in touch with my fellow participants. Rigorous and time-intensive, this program is definitely worth it if you are interested in history. There was a substantial amount of reading and writing due, however, there was also plenty of down-time. Highly recommended!
I attended NIAHD this past...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by CM
I attended NIAHD this past summer and had an excellent and rewarding time. Discussions with classmates who shared a love of history, instructors who are passionate about teaching and an opportunity to live at W&M for three weeks all contributed to making this an excellent program. I definitely recommend this program to anyone who enjoys learning and studying history!
I participated in the summer...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by LadyPanther
I participated in the summer NIAHD program second session this year! I absolutely loved it! I had a blast and made life long friends who I continuously keep in touch with! During the course I learned how to apply myself in college level thinking. I wrote essays that prepared me for what's to come and learned from Teachers who were passionate about what they spoke. This was the best summer of my life!
NIAHD was definitely one of...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by jessm
NIAHD was definitely one of the best decisions I made in high school. The class prepared me for college life - in and outside the classroom, and the people I met were amazing. W&M is an absolutely beautiful campus, and the places we visited are ones that I will remember for the rest of my life. I wasn't that keen on early American history before the program, but it completely changed my opinion. You will learn so much, you'll make great friends, and you'll come back better prepared for college. 't you're considering NIAHD as an option, definitely do it.
This program is a once-in-a-lifetime...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by TC2014
This program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I got to go to historical sites I had never thought I'd get to see, because I live in Texas. This program gave me a whole new perspective on history and convinced me to major in the subject. DON'T PASS IT UP, IT'S AMAZING!!!
Absolutely loved this program Coming...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by Nina
Absolutely loved this program. Coming to William and Mary for 3 weeks was pretty scary at first, but with the way the program is set up, I befriended everyone in no time. It was a really great way to learn about Virginia and its history, as well as learning how to interact in college seminars. The professors and grad students were great, and you could tell that everyone truly wanted to be there. This program is completely worth it!
NIAHD is an amazing program...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by Swimmer18
NIAHD is an amazing program! I went this past summer and took part in second session learning about history, from Jamestown up to the American Revolution. I highly recommend this program, especially if you are a sophomore in high school; the more of this program, the better. The other course is from the American Revolution up to the Civil War, and it seemed quite fun as well. The field trips, lectures, and weekend activities are all so fun and exceptionally well put together. You will have one of the greatest summers ever, guaranteed.
This program was one of...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by Isabellaw
This program was one of the best decisions I've made. The people I met there were absolutely amazing- both staff and students. The campus is gorgeous and it's a chance to see incredible historical sights and broaden your horizons on America's history. The three weeks I spent at W&M for the NIAHD Program changed my life and sold me on a future in the historical field. You'll become more independent and capable of experiencing the world on your own. I highly recommend this program, it'll change your life and you'll create lasting friendships as well as reach a new understanding of the past.
The NIAHD program changed my...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2013 by ambutl
The NIAHD program changed my life! I wasn't crazy about history when I went, but this program got me to see it in a whole new way. I learned so much--about history, but also about analysis and writing--and I had so much fun. Still good friends with people I met seven or eight years ago!
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Recently Updated
I love the College of William and Mary and the campus is beautiful. Due to the fact that the students in this program are minors, the RPAs (Resident Program Assistants) are very scared of losing people and always need to know where we go, when, with who, and the time we get back, which is understandable but sometimes overwhelming in certain situations, especially if we are just on campus. There are a certain amount of people we have to stay with.
The rooms are decent and for the most part the RPAs are easy to get a long with, as well as other students in the program.
Being on the younger side, I have not taken APUSH yet unlike many of the other students therefore sometimes I feel left behind.
The field trips seem to be organized for the most part but if we end early, time is waisted at the site instead of heading back early but then they rush us off because they waist too much time.
Readings are often times long and extremely repetitive and definitely could be condensed.
The food is not great but it is better than most colleges I have been to, just choose wisely.
Daily schedule is usually this:
Wakeup and go to breakfast
Go on a field trip
Back to campus for lunch
maybe 45 minutes of down time (usually)
Seminar (discussion based on readings)
sometimes downtime sometimes lecture
dinner
downtime but should be spent reading but again sometimes a lecture
They do certain fun things like historical dance classes and ice cream runs, ect.
Curfews:
in complex by 9
in building by 10
on floor by 10:30
in room by 11
A lot of time is planned for breakfast and in most cases you can not leave to go back to the dorm because they worry about the time the van will get there and don't want us to be late. The dining hall is maybe 5 minutes away from the dorm MAYBE so it is often frustrating how they hold us there instead of let us leave. Gives me the feeling of communism sometimes.
The "college experience" is not very prominent but the class is okay and the teachers are nice. They are William and Mary Graduate students but the program is overseen by 2 professors, who are sometimes there sometimes not (depending on the program you choose).
The roommate survey is inaccurate (not surprising) and often people are friendly with their roommate but not best friends. Many people that I've talked to would agree it would be better if we had the option of talking to people prior to the program, but it is just the luck of the draw.
If you love history, this program is for you. Surround yourself with positive people you share interests with. Also, do your best to make friends with everyone. It is only 3 weeks so you'll live through it. In the beginning it could be hard to be away from home but it gets better. Be positive through the whole thing even if you learn history is not your life long love- like I did.