Clio in the Classroom

Statue of Clio, the Muse of History in Greek mythology

What is Clio?

Clio is an educational website and mobile application that guides the public to thousands of historical and cultural sites throughout the United States.

Named after the ancient muse of history, Clio uses GPS to reach the public where they stand and guide them to museums and historical and cultural sites. Each entry includes concise information, embedded media, and links to primary sources and relevant books and articles. Clio also offers maps and navigation, as well as useful information for visitors to museums, libraries, and historical sites.

Clio is free for everyone.

How Does it Work?

Clio picks up a user's location and connects them to a growing database of entries about museums, libraries, and historical sites. Clio provides information about each entry, along with interactive maps that guide users to each site they select. Entries provide a concise summary and history of each site, along with links to primary and secondary sources for those who want to learn more.

Clio turns mobile devices into time machines with amazing images and information about historic events that occured right where you are standing.

Screenshot of Clio's Classroom Overview Page

Libraries, Museums, Historical Societies, and Educators

Clio provides institutional accounts to libraries, historical societies, museums, and other institutions so that their staff can create, expand, and update entries. Clio also provides special accounts for educators that allow them to create and vet entries with their students. Members of the public can also create entries and suggest improvements, with each entry being reviewed by an administrator prior to publication. The version history of each entry is preserved, providing a living record of how historical interpretations change over time.

Clio is free for institutions and educators, and provides special administrative accounts that allow them to create, vet, and improve entries with their students, staff, and members. All entries credit the author and the sponsoring institution, and all users can see the results of their collective work as the project grows over time.

Witness History Unfold

In the past, monuments and markers relied upon a few sentences that were cast in metal or carved in stone. Clio allows authors to provide more detail and multiple perspectives. Clio also grants the freedom to commemorate historical sites where there is no monument or marker. For example, Clio guides users to the precise location of civil rights protests and allows them to feel the past as they listen to oral histories and see images and videos of the event.

The Possibilities are Endless

We hope that your institution will use Clio to reach the public -- not only to drive awareness and promote your organization, but also as a way to share the history and culture of your community and region.

By embedding primary sources and historical images into an entry, Clio allows a student to learn more about the "Father of Black History" while he stands at this statue of Carter G. Woodson. The same entry includes links to archival sources, related books and articles, and recollections of Woodson's youth in the student's hometown.