Labor for Hire: Indentured Servants in 17th Century Virginia

Who were indentured servants and how did these individuals shape the culture of 17th century Virginia? Was the risk of indentured servitude worth the reward? Through hands-on activities, debate, and real-life case studies, students investigate the lives of the men and women who traveled to Virginia as skilled and unskilled indentured labor – from the shipboard journey and signing of contracts, to daily life and the laws, both good and bad, created by the First General Assembly to govern the indentured population.

Program length: 2 hours

Grades: 4-6, 7-12