Teachers looking for resources and practical cross curriculum ideas for teaching Civil War history will find them at the free, third annual Civil War Teacher Institute at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, Va., July 30 to August 1. The institute is sponsored by Virginia Tech's Virginia Center for Civil War Studies and the Civil War Preservation Trust.

"We hope to build on the success of last year's workshop and make that great watershed of the American heritage more dramatic and more inspiring for teacher and student alike," said James I. Robertson Jr., Virginia Tech Alumni Distinguished Professor of history and executive director of Virginia Tech's Virginia Center for Civil War Studies. "Our generation is the bridge--the only bridge--between Civil War soldiers and generations yet to come. We have a moral and patriotic obligation to ensure that education keeps all ages informed of the American past; for if our children lose their culture, we will have lost our history."

All activities at the institute, including meals, are free, although teachers will have to provide for their own lodging. Teachers who attend will also earn continuing education units through Virginia Tech.

Featured speakers will include Robertson; William C. Davis, a Virginia Tech history professor and program director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies; and Jim Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Preservation Trust.

"For us to appreciate our present and our future, we must understand our past," Lighthizer said. "The institute allows us to gather some of the best teachers in the country and help them inspire future preservationists."

Other participants include historians from the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Victorian Dance Ensemble, representatives from the Petersburg National Battlefield, and Doug Jimerson and the Gilmore Light Ensemble. Activities include a field trip to Appomattox Courthouse, demonstrations by living historians, and focused material topics. There will be ample opportunities for questions and for networking.

Reservations for the institute must be made by July 9, 2004. To register, contact Jennifer Rosenberry at 888/606-1400 or jrosenberry@civilwar.org.

To reserve a room at the Hotel Roanoke, call the hotel directly at 540/985-5900 or toll-free at 866/594-4722 (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday). Ask for the Civil War Preservation Trust Institute room block when making a reservation.

To see a report on last year's institute, go to www.civilwar.org/historyclassroom/hc_anntechinst.htm.