HISTORIC WALTHAM ESSAY CONTEST

Who is Eligible?

Open to students who live in Waltham and will be entering grades 4 - 8 in September 2009.

Your Task

Write an essay addressing the theme “Waltham’s History-The Nation’s History.” Use the resources in the City of Waltham including historic and natural sites. You MUST visit or interview a representative of at least one of the following organizations and use what you’ve learned in your essay. Admission is free June 1, through August 31.

Participating Institutions

Waltham Museum - Gore Place - Waltham Historical Society - National Archives Stonehurst, Robert Treat Paine Estate - Waltham Public Library/Waltham Room Charles River Museum of Industry - Civil War Roundtable of Greater Boston Lyman Estate - Waltham Land Trust - Prospect Hill Park Advocacy Group Waltham Community Access Corporation.

For details on each organization, click here.

Requirements

  1. Register to participate via e-mail to
  2. You must write the essay yourself and cite your sources. Essays must be typed and double-spaced and no longer than 1,500 words (1000 words for grades 4-5). For grades 4-5, min. 750 words; for grades 6-8, min. 1,000 words. Essays must be postmarked by August 31, 2009, and sent to the National Archives, 380 Trapelo Rd., Waltham, MA, 02452.

Judging Criteria

Essays will be judged on quality of research and writing, originality of work, and effort.

Every student is entered into a drawing for the following prizes:

American Flag that has been flown over Waltham City Hall and the US Capitol

2 - $100 Cash Prizes, 2 - $50 Cash Prizes, Gift Cards and More!


The school or organization that has the greatest participation will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

Essay Contest Winners

  • 2 First Prizes of a $1,000 Savings Bond
  • 2 Second Prizes of a $500 savings Bond
  • 2 Third Prizes of a $100 Savings Bond
Historic Waltham Days Sponsors: Ben Franklin Bank, Waltham Tourism Council, and Watertown Savings Bank
 

Essay Winners 2008

diacoverwaltham.com- div

Suggested Topics

They Came to Waltham: Immigration and Settlement

Waltham Residents: Big Visions

Remembering Waltham’s Soldiers

On the Home Front: Waltham During Wartime

Location, Location, Location

Education in Waltham

Waltham–Birthplace of Innovation and Industry

Her-Story: Women in Waltham

Waltham’s Clubs and Civic Organizations

Destination Waltham: Summer vacation spot

Waltham’s Place in Nature

The Watch City/Waltham Watch Factory

Colonial Waltham

Moving Toward Freedom-Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in Waltham

Civic Action, Organization, and Contribution

Biography: One Person’s Story-The Nation’s Story

Fun and Games: Children’s pastimes in Waltham

The Charles River in Waltham

The Plants and Wildlife of Waltham

Faith in Waltham: Waltham’s religious organizations

Geographic and Natural features of Waltham

You May Also Select a Different Topic – We Appreciate Originality!