Educational Resources to Highlight Legacy of Marin City for TK-12 Students

In collaboration with the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE), Dominican University of California and the Marin County Free Library are developing resource guides, activities, and lesson plans for TK-12 educators. These materials are inspired by a book examining the legacy of Marin City by Felecia Gaston, Marin City historian and community leader.

The book, "A Brand New Start…This is Home: The Story of World War II Marinship and the Legacy of Marin City," was curated and published by Gaston, the founder and executive director of Performing Stars, which provides enrichment programs for low-income children, families, and communities. In 2022, Gaston created the Marin City Historical and Preservation Society to share the largely untold 80-year history of African American perseverance in Marin County.

Gaston’s book showcases a collection of primary sources, oral interviews, news archives, and photographs that portray the Black experience from 1942 to 2022, highlighting the vibrant history of the Marin City community. Focused on a narrative of California Black history, American patriotism, and Black migration in the 1940s, the collaborative efforts aim to breathe life into the rich historical content of the text, tailored to TK-12 grade-levels.

“This initiative offers students a unique chance to delve into the intricate history of Marin City and appreciate the contributions of its Black residents to Marin County,” says Gaston.

Through the support of donors, including the Marin Community Foundation, copies of Gaston's book have been distributed to every public elementary, middle, and high school library in Marin County.

Educators and librarians will have the opportunity to participate in four virtual meetings with representatives from Dominican and the Marin County Free Library. These sessions will provide valuable resource guides, information, and activities designed to enhance the understanding and engagement with the historical content specific to grade-level bands. 

"This is an exciting collaborative initiative in which community partners have come together to ensure that an important historical resource is accessible to Marin County students who then have the unique opportunity to connect with the rich history of their community,” said Dr. Katie Lewis, Associate Professor of Education. 

John A. Carroll, Superintendent of Schools for Marin County, conveyed appreciation for the chance to engage in this collaborative initiative.

“We are deeply grateful for the expertise and leadership demonstrated by Dominican University and the Marin County Free Library in leading this educational endeavor to meet the needs of students in Marin County," says Carroll.

More information about the work and upcoming meetings can be found here.