Coloring books have had a recent resurgence as a way of promoting relaxation and mindfulness, and inspired a number of scientific studies as a means of exploring how effective coloring is in reducing anxiety. In short, if you're in the market for a way to unwind while staying safe at home, why not try coloring ... with an eye toward history?

The coloring books and pages listed below vary in difficulty (which means you can browse these sheets for yourself and/or for a younger friend or family member), but all are free and offer a fun historical twist on the coloring book phenomenon. For ultimate relaxation, listen to soothing music or a podcast (such as one of the history podcasts mentioned in our article 11 Great Podcasts for History Fans) while you color a house, a national park, or a historical figure. Without further ado, here are fifteen of our favorite history-themed coloring books from our historic sites, Historic Artists' Homes & Studios program, and more:

1 The Oklahoma Historical Society has made their entire coloring book We Remember… Before and Beyond 1907 – 2007 available online. This coloring book features important African American figures in Oklahoma history, including Hannah Atkins (the first African American woman elected to the House of Representatives) and James Banning and Thomas Allen (the first African American aviators to complete a transcontinental flight).

2 Check out the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s printable coloring sheets, all of which are based on popular paintings from the museum’s collection, and include notable works by the Wyeth family (including N.C. Wyeth, his daughter Henriette Wyeth, and his grandson Jamie Wyeth). Also included is Horace Pippin, an artist strongly supported by N.C. Wyeth, whose work focused on slavery and racial segregation.

6 Browse these coloring pages (which vary in their complexity) from the Gari Melchers Home and Studio, home of the American naturalist painter Gari Melchers. As an alternative to coloring, explore their printable activities (which include online jigsaw puzzles and games).

7 Color in one (or all) of these five coloring book pages from the Aspen Historical Society, which feature a variety of historical scenes, specifically in relation to miners and the Native American Ute tribe.

8 Explore these activity sheets, primarily targeted to elementary school-aged children, from The Valentine, a museum that explores the history of Richmond, Virginia. Each link includes at least one coloring book page, in addition to word searches, mazes, and more.

9 Check out this round up of twenty-one printable coloring sheets celebrating women's history. Maya Angelou, Serena Williams, and Marie Curie are all represented, as is Ruth Bader Ginsberg riding atop a unicorn in this rainbow-drenched scene (PDF).

10 Cliveden, the location for the Battle of Germantown during the Revolutionary War, has a variety of activity sheets available online. In addition to coloring pages, there are also word games, matching games, and more available to download.

11 For those with children, browse these activity sheets from the National Park Trust, which include coloring pages and a social distancing-friendly bingo game designed to keep kids active outside while staying safe. (Squares include activities such as: "identify two constellations in the night sky," and "create a nature collage from materials found outdoors.")

12 Download all eight pages of this coloring book from the Chester Inn Historic Site and Museum, which includes drawings of historic landmarks in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Support the Chester Inn Museum by posting a photo of your completed page on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #historyart.