Kate Mullany National Historic Site
Home of the American Labor Studies Center
About ALSC
The American Labor Studies Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to collect, analyze, evaluate, create and disseminate labor history and labor studies curricula and related materials, aligned to the various state and national standards, to kindergarten through 12th grade teachers nationwide. They will include such areas as the history, organization, activities, and issues affecting the labor movement and the political, economic, and cultural aspects of workers and their unions. It is governed by a Board of Directors and funded by contributions and government grants.
The ALSC will be located in the Kate Mullany House at 350 Eighth Street in Troy, New York, which was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1997 and dedicated by the First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on July 15, 1998. There is currently legislation before Congress to make the Mullany House a National Historic Site. Kate Mullany, a young Irish Immigrant and daughter of a widowed mother, became the leader of the first women’s union in the nation and the first woman to hold office in a national union. At the age of 24, Mullany organized 200 women and became the first president of the Troy Collar Laundry Workers Union. In February 1864, the collar workers went on strike demanding a 25 percent increase in wages – and won. In 1868, she became assistant secretary of the National Labor Union under William Sylvies. There are a wide variety of curriculum materials for teachers of virtually every subject and grade level including historical events, music, art, literature, biographies and contemporary issues, among others, that will be accessible on the web site through direct downloads and dozens of links.
The ALSC will also sponsor workshops, courses, conferences and other events to acquaint teachers with the curriculum and related materials.
The goal of the ALSC is not to indoctrinate or proselytize, but provide students with an opportunity to explore the many facets of a very complex and important part of out nation’s history and contemporary life. Teachers are encouraged to use a variety of research and inquiry approaches as they select their pedagogical strategies.
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Contact Us
americanlaborstudies@gmail.com
The American Labor Studies Center (ALSC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to create, collect and disseminate labor history and labor studies curriculum materials and resources to K-12 teachers nationwide through this web site and via conferences, workshops, seminars and exhibits and to restore the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in Troy, New York where it is located. Paul F. Cole is the Executive Director.
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Class Time Limited?
Resources for teachers who have a limited amount of time to incorporate labor history into their classrooms.
- A Short History of American Labor
- The Lesson Plan
- The Films
- The Truth About "Right-to-Work" by Paul F.Cole
- The Bread & Roses Strike
Traces the history of the labor movement from its beginnings to the late 20th century.
A lesson guide for teachers to accompany "A Short History of American Labor"
A description and order information for two excellent labor history films to supplement "A Short History of American Labor" - If You Don't Come in on Sunday, Don't Come in on Monday and The Inheritance
- The 9/11 Attacks: A Teachers Toolkit
A standards-based curriculum for teachers for grades 5-12 by the 9/11 Tribute Center at the World Trade Center.