Inappropriate History

Appropriate History With Context.

Follow our journey to 501(c)(3) status as we pave the way for accessible education

Explore Our Classes

Historic Dining - 17th century plateware

Making Learning Simple

Online classes, courses and content. Inappropriate History was created by historians to make learning more inclusive; our site interprets history, giving context that broadens understanding and we offer classes using services that anyone can afford to access. We make learning simple and appropriately discuss context to highlight key events and stories. Inappropriate History - history discussed appropriately, with context.

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Who We Are

We are historians who bridge the gap between academic research and real-world learning—helping educators, students, organizations, and workplaces connect with the past in meaningful, relatable ways.

Our approach centers on clarity, equity, and expertly designed content that makes even complex history simple to understand.

We offer services online or at your location, depending on your needs.

Our offerings include:

Professional course design for learners of all ages, including students, adults, and professionals

Custom curriculum development for schools, museums, homeschool families, and community organizations

Workshops and speaking engagements, led by trained historians and educators

In-depth written content and educational media that link historical narratives to today’s world

Consulting services for institutions seeking inclusive, research-based educational strategies

Sliding-scale pricing and scholarship options to ensure access for underserved communities

A commitment to educator and worker pay equity, because fair labor practices lead to stronger, more sustainable programs

We proudly serve homeschool communities, offering flexible, standards-aligned courses, resources, and support to supplement or enrich your educational plans—delivered virtually or in person.

Our
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New Classes

How It Works

Read the Class Menu

See the details each class or course offer and note the ones you want to participate in. All programs are available online or in-person. To access services that are not the classes below, contact us and let us know how we can serve you. Detail what you need and we'll respond ASAP with the cost for the service or with information to clarify.

Register

Fill out a registration form and indicate if you are confirming a reserved date for a group or signing up to attend a class or course with an unassigned group. Give 3 dates and make sure all of the details are clear. To register a group, tell us how many will be attending, if it will be in person or online and any other clarifying details.

Look Out For Confirmation

After you submit your form, look out for an email from us. We will contact you to confirm pricing, schedule and send a payment link. Please note: To inquire on pricing before registration, fill out the registration form with details for your request and note that it is a request for follow up. We will be in touch soon!

Online Class + Experiential Projects

Part One of an annual gardening series

Work through creative processes together and gain new perspectives and ideas from peers. We will work through example topics together and all who wish to contribute may. Then we’ll read our completed piece together. A second topic will be given and each student will have the chance to write their own stories and later share them.

Online Class

Explore the exciting world of plant communication

Come along with us on an adventure! We will discuss how plant communicate and how that influences the world around us. As you discover new details you may find ways to discern what your plants at home are showing you, how they're creating the systems around them, and why some seem to show up in pairs and patterns.

Online Course + Experiential Projects

Collaborate for our community

Students will be introduced to research skills professionals use as well as various forms of writing styles and they will be practicing these skills as they write articles for display online for museum guests to read; this will involve collaborating for local museums and can be used as volunteer experience for college. Each piece will display the name of the author and guests will access the articles by using a QR code at museum exhibits. This is an excellent way to build skills and it is an opportunity to make history for young writers.

Online Class

Impactful contributions of cultivating plants, agriculture, and trade routes

Join us as we talk about foods from around the world and how they came to be in what is now Virginia. See a presentation of maps showing where in the world our foods come from and how foods became what they are today; explore your Thanksgiving table and discover the origins.

Online Class

Part one of a series on teens in history

We often hear about the angst of teenagers, but rarely do we hear about the important roles they play in history. Discover teenagers who went against the social norms of their time to impact a nation. We will discuss social norms of the revolutionary war, impactful actions of 18th century teens, and the importance of welcoming innovative minds to influence our nation.

Online

Inciteful observations of Powhatan culture and people

This course offers various levels from elementary to adult in content (separately). Learn through the lens of The People of the River how they lived, what they ate, and discover what resources they used. Some levels will review maps and historical text while beginner levels will have accompanying activities.

Online Class + Peer Perspectives

Bi-weekly creative writing to build new skills and collaborate ideas

Online

This is an advanced course on early world history that flows into the trade routes and America. Discover how the economy impacted social structures as well as a justice system in a matrilineal and matriarchal world. Comparatively discuss the powder keg that erupts as the Spanish and the English make their way into this territory. Knowing this topic will change how you interpret history.

Beginner Photography Artfully

Join us for an introduction to photography using cellphones and tablets. In this course the focus will be learning basic functions for the first portion. The second portion will be focused on artful perspectives, creative lenses, and classic pose and angles. As students become familiar with the basic terminology, they will become more skillful on what to identify to create amazing photos without edits.

In a series of online lecture, learn about the mysteries in history surrounding favorite historical figures like Pocahontas, John Rolfe, The Lost Colony of Roanoke, Paquiqeneo, and many more! Go beyond the surface of American History to discover the depths and layers that formed some of the most intriguing theories of America's

Part One of History Mysteries

We're excited to see what you love about our site!

If you're interested in future programs, register your interest by filling out this short form and be notified when we launch! We'd love to hear from you and this will show us how to serve you better. Make an impact by providing feedback that influences our communities.

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Meet the Team

Meet our team of professionals

Historian and Educator

DJ Tucker

DJ's interest in interpreting history started the moment he thought interpreters lived at the museum! His accomplishments are many, but his favorites are an NAACP nominated program in Lowcountry African American/Gullah history and a state preservation award in heritage tourism for same. He is known as the man, the myth and the legend but he is also known for his leadership in education, for teaching archeology programs that encompass the heart of cultural history, and his work in cultural advocacy through historical interpretation. He has worked for notable museums in Canada & the USA. DJ remains involved in interpreting multiple eras of history, teaching history accurately, and providing descendants intimate knowledge of the past--to foster a greater appreciation for their ancestors. DJ has more recently been involved in Virginia Indian history with his interpretation of Powhatan Indians, where he advocated for local Virginia tribes and honored their stories with guests, members and students. He's also known for having lived at the museum. DJ currently resides in the "front porch" of the Lowcountry (Walterboro, SC) but loves to travel and teach as often as a busy schedule will allow. He made it.

Historian

Emily Robinson

Emily is a dynamic historical interpreter with a passion for uncovering the untold stories of the past—especially those centered on women, medicine, and material culture. Specializing in 17th-century interpretation, she brings a rare blend of historical insight and real-world experience as a critical care paramedic to her work, offering deeply human and richly contextualized perspectives on early modern life. Whether she's unpacking the domestic world of colonial women, explaining period remedies with professional medical insight, or preparing authentic meals over an open hearth, Emily has a way of drawing people in. Visitors don’t just stop by her historical setups—they linger, captivated by her engaging presence, detailed attire, and immersive storytelling.

Her work has been featured at numerous historical sites, where she is especially known for making complex topics like women’s health, household labor, and societal roles both accessible and compelling. She also has several years of experience reconstructing historical textiles, patterns, and clothing—bringing to life the everyday material culture of the past with meticulous craftsmanship. And yes—her historical cooking isn’t just accurate, it’s legendary.

Historian and Educator

Coleman Courtney

Coleman is a historian, educator, and content developer with a passion for uncovering and teaching underrepresented narratives—particularly Indigenous history. A member of the Sappony tribe, she has been teaching tribal history since 2005 and brings a deep commitment to cultural context and historical accuracy. Her work spans formal education, museum interpretation, and community engagement. Coleman has written educational content for local museums, designed interactive learning programs, and led historical interpretation across multiple eras. She is known for making complex or overlooked subjects accessible through creative, context-driven teaching methods. In addition to working with public school systems and homeschool networks, Coleman taught her four children while facilitating online courses, developing curriculum, and supporting local educational organizations. Her specialties include trauma-informed teaching, culturally responsive curriculum design, and niche historical interpretation that connects the past to the present in tangible, meaningful ways.

Coleman continues to advocate for educational equity, Native history inclusion, and storytelling that honors truth and tradition.

Historian and Educator

Sean Edwards

Sean Edwards has interpreted almost every era of history through various living history educational events for over 21 years. He has been a Powhatan warrior to a soldier in France for WWI and WW2 or his latest impression of a war correspondent in the Spanish Civil War. He has niche interests in era specific material culture, native culture, military tactics and movements, world history and food and culture origin and technology history. He specializes in immersive history, experiential archeology and hands on learning. He makes history exciting, true and real for all age groups. He also has great skill in making various historical reproductions, skills and crafts and can be commissioned to make. He is living abroad in Spain and can be booked online for history courses, workshops or hands skills. Also, for scheduled events in person planned around his visits to the US or any time in Spain.

Historian and Educator

Zoey Courtney

Zoey is a proud member of the Sappony tribe and a passionate advocate for inclusive, engaging, and trauma-informed approaches to history education. With over six years of experience supporting and leading museum programs, public history events, and interpretive tours, she brings creativity, compassion, and cultural depth to every project she’s a part of. A former homeschool student with a multidisciplinary background, Zoey draws on diverse educational experiences to shape her own teaching methods—often blending hands-on, learner-centered techniques with thoughtful storytelling. Her passion for history knows no bounds, but she has a particular gift for illuminating Native history, lesser-known narratives, and underrepresented cultural perspectives. Known for her innovative thinking and collaborative spirit, Zoey isn’t just supporting historical programs—she’s helping reshape how they’re told and who they reach.

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Bridging the gaps to serve communities

Created by museum professionals, Inappropriate History delivers expertly researched, thoughtfully designed education — bridging the gap between historical scholarship and classrooms, workplaces, and communities. We make history simple by providing context and giving important relatable details to bring real stories to life. Inappropriate History was created by historians to make learning more inclusive; We interpret text, giving context that broadens understanding and we offer classes using services that anyone can afford to access by accessing our sliding scale fees or student scholarships.

We prioritize fair pay and equity for the educators and professionals who create our content. We believe that when workers are paid equitably and students can participate without economic barriers, we foster a better learning environment—and deliver higher-quality programs. We focus on quality over quantity, creating thoughtful, engaging experiences that help learners see the past clearly and critically.