CD-ROM Activities/Features

Compare the Portraits:

This activity allows students to compare and contrast the two portraits of Nathaniel Hurd by John Singleton Copley.  As students identify differences between the two portraits, they’re given interesting information about colonial Boston.  These explanations also address the way portraits can create an identity, as well as tell us about past fashions, trends, and social status.  This exercise helps to develop students’ critical looking skills.

Mystery History:

In this activity, the biographies of the two historical figures, John Singleton Copley and Nathaniel Hurd are tied to an important turning point in American History, the American Revolution.

The Dressing Room:

This activity allows students to insert Nathaniel Hurd’s face into other paintings in the Memorial Art Gallery collection.  This exercise addresses issues of social status and class as embodied in clothing, pose, furnishings, and how these things are used to shape identity in portraiture.

Heraldry:

This activity addresses issues relating to heraldry and social class.  Students can create their own coat of arms.

Tea Party:

This game places students inside a computer simulation of John Hancock’s house in colonial Boston.  Their job is to find everything on their inventory list in order to help set up for a tea party. Once the items are found, their domestic use and context are explained. Other Tea Party activities for students.

Silversmith Shop:

This game places students inside a silversmith shop in colonial Boston.  Their task is to turn silver coins into silver objects.