About This Lesson
This lesson plan is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file, King of Prussia Inn. Most of the text in the lesson was adapted from “At the Sign of the King of Prussia,” by Richard M. Affleck. This article was featured in Byways to the Past, a publication by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT). Other information came from PENNDOT databases and files on the King of Prussia Inn. The lesson was written by Becky Knapp, an intern for PENNDOT. It was edited by the Teaching with Historic Places staff. This lesson is one in a series that brings the important stories of historic places into classrooms across the country
Where it fits into the curriculum
Topics: This lesson could be used in units relating to the life and culture of colonial America, archeology, transportation history, and settlement and use of land.
Time Period: early 18th century to late 20th century
Relevant United States History Standards for Grades 5-12
Relevant Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
Find your state's social studies and history standards for grades Pre-K-12
Objectives for students
1) Describe the historical significance of the King of Prussia Inn, including its relationship with transportation history.
2) Examine how archeology and artifacts found at the King of Prussia Inn help us better understand the people that used the inn and its use over different periods of time.
3) Outline the historic preservation efforts of federal, state, and local organizations to save the inn.
4) Research a historic inn or hotel in their community and determine its impact on the town, and understand how the town impacted the historic site.
Materials for students
The materials listed below either can be used directly on the computer or can be printed out, photocopied, and distributed to students. The maps and images appear twice: in a smaller, low-resolution version with associated questions and alone in a larger version.
1) three maps showing the King of Prussia area and the archeological excavations done on the inn;
2) three readings regarding the history of the inn, the archeological investigation done on the property, and the historic preservation efforts undertaken to save it;
3) one painting of the inn, displaying a winter scene from the late 19th century;
4) four photographs of the King of Prussia Inn, ca. 1910, archeology being done at the inn, and the inn being moved in 2000.
Visiting the site
The King of Prussia Inn is located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. From Philadelphia, take I-76 West. Merge onto Dekalb Pike West and U.S. 202 North via exit 328B toward King of Prussia. Turn right onto South Gulf Road. Turn left onto Bill Smith Blvd. The inn is currently owned by the King of Prussia Chamber of Commerce. Tours of the site are given by appointment only. For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at The Historic King of Prussia Inn, 101 Bill Smith Blvd., King of Prussia, PA, 19406, or call 610-265-1776, or visit their website at [http://www.kopinn.com].