Curated OER
Levittown, White Picket Paradise?
Students study the origins and happenings of Levittown, Pennsylvania. In this Pennsylvania history lesson plan, students use primary and secondary sources to research the beginnings of Levittown, PA. As a culminating activity, students...
Curated OER
Post-War Suburbanization
Pupils research the suburbanization of post World War II America. They identify factors aiding suburban growth and assess the degree to which it impacted American life. Students view a documentary about the benefits of suburbanization...
![University of Illinois: Levittown: Documents of an Ideal American Suburb [Pdf] Graphic](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "University of Illinois: Levittown: Documents of an Ideal American Suburb [Pdf] Graphic")
City University of New York
University of Illinois: Levittown: Documents of an Ideal American Suburb [Pdf]
Source material for any study of the origins of suburbia, particularly the Levittown version of suburban perfection.
Digital History
Digital History: Levittown
On the morning of March 7, 1949, builder William J. Levitt opened a sales office for a new development of inexpensive single-family homes in a potato field in the center of Long Island's Nassau County. In bitter-cold weather, more than a...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Post War Prosperity and Cold War Fears 1945 1960: The American Dream
Looks at the policies of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, both at home and abroad. Also examines changing gender roles in the 1950s, and the impact of suburbanization on America.
Other
Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1940 1949
Take a walk through this part of American history surrounding World War II. Each section includes cultural history of the time, with links pertaining to art and architecture, books and literature, education, fads and fashion, historic...
Other
The Suburbanization of America: Patio Culture
This site offers a discussion on middle class suburban life in the 1950's and 1960's which has been dubbed the Patio Culture.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Growth of Suburbia
The GI Bill made it possible for World War II veterans to finance the purchase of a house. This, combined with mass production of houses, led to the growth of suburban communities, including three Levittown suburbs.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Dark Side of Suburbia
The suburbs were not idyllic for some. Women found the conformity of them restrictive and African Americans were usually barred from living in them.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Growth of Suburbia
Learn about Levittown and housing benefits for veterans.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Postwar Rise of the Suburbs
Primary source documents include photographs, documents, cartoons, and advertisements that help to paint a picture of this unique time and place in American history.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Suburban Growth
Find out how many veterans returning from World War II were able to realize the American Dream of home ownership, and see how this resulted in the growth of suburban areas across the nation.