AMERICAN HERITAGE
The name American Heritage is a trademark
owned by
American Heritage Publishing Company, Inc. and is used by permission
These were the REQUIREMENTS before the changes
made with
the release of a new merit badge pamphlet during 2005.
To see the current requirements
Click Here
- Do ONE of the following:
- Make a map of your area. Mark the points of historical
interest. Show your map in your classroom or troop meeting
place. Tell about the points of historical interest.
- Research an event of historical importance that took
place in or near your area. If possible, visit the place
where the event took place. Tell your class or troop about
the event and its impact on local history. Describe what
it looked like then and now.
- Find out when, why, and how your town or neighborhood
started. What ethnic, national, or racial groups played
a part? Find out how it has changed over the past 50 years.
Try to explain why.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Explain what is meant by the National Register of Historic
places. Tell about any National register properties in your
area. Describe how a property becomes eligible for listing.
- Find something in your area that seems to qualify for
National Register listing. Bring it to the attention of
the Historic Preservation Officer for your state. Assist
him or her, in any way possible, to nominate it for inclusion
in the National Register.
- Choose ONE of the following; describe its adoption; tell
about any changes since its adoption.
- The flag.
- The Pledge of Allegiance
- The seal
- The motto
- The national anthem
- Choose an event, a period, or person from United States
history that you would like to know more about. Do FOUR of the
following for the subject chosen.
- Read a biography, approved by your counselor, of the
person chosen. Tell some things you admire about the person.
Tell about some of the thing you do not admire. Explain
why you think this person had made a good or bad contribution
to America's heritage.
- Read about the subject in three sources. List the major
points upon which all agree. List areas of disagreement.
Decide which source is mostly true. Tell how you decided.
- Read a historical novel or see a television show, a
play, or a movie about your subject. Tell how true you think
it was. Tell how it added to your understanding of the subject.
- Select an important speech related to your subject and
tell when and why it was made. Read the speech to your class
or troop. Then lead a discussion about the effect it had
at the time.
- Gather records of four songs that are related to your
subject or be able to sing or play them yourself. Play the
records, or play or sing the songs yourself, for your class
or troop. Tell about each song.
- Collect copies of four cartoons about your subject or
draw two in the style of the period. Tell about the meaning
of the cartoons.
- Collect copies of paintings about your subject. Show
them to your class or troop. Tell about them Discuss their
accuracy or symbolism.
- Collect copies of photographs about your subject. Show
them to your class or troop. Tell how they reflect the photographer's
point of view.
- Build a model to show something about your subject.
Show the model to your class to troop. Tell about what it
shows.
- Visit a historic site related to your subject. Tell
your class or troop about the visit. Tell how it has enlarged
your view of the subject.
- Make a time-line for your subject. Tell how the main
events on your chart have affected life in America today.
- Do ONE of the following:
- Take an active part in a program about a historic event
or person. Report to your Class or troop about the program,
the part you took, and the subject.
- Pick an organization that is directly concerned with
the preservation or perpetuation of local, state, or national
history. Talk with an officer of the organization about
its goals. Find out how you can help meet these goals. Carry
out a project that will help meet the goals.
- Set up a historic trail or walk in your area. Prepare
a guidebook. Include maps and related local history. Develop
and carry out a plan to bring your trail to the attention
of your community.
BSA Advancement ID#: 16
Pamphlet Revision Date: 1976
Requirements last updated prior to 1982
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