Allegheny College students taking an Introduction to Public History course this semester created an imaginative, two-day pop-up museum event to introduce lesser-known historical narratives to the campus community.
鈥淲e examine what聽narratives have dominated representations of the past in historical museums, and we seek out histories that have not been at the center of understanding the past,鈥� said Assistant Professor of Brian Miller, who teaches the course. 鈥淧art of the assignment was to actually find those silent voices that have been silenced and create a forum for them to be able to be shared with the public to create a more nuanced and equitable understanding of our past.鈥�
Once the聽groups researched their topic, they presented their findings in the Campus Center and the Pelletier Library Atrium through six temporary pop-up displays.
One pop-up focused on the life and legacy of , who graduated from Allegheny in 1880 with degrees in biology and history. She is most notable for her career as a muckraker who would challenge John D. Rockefeller, the richest man in America. Tarbell would go on to influence anti-monopolistic reform and be recognized among America鈥檚 greatest journalists.聽Throughout the demonstration, the group quizzed the visitors about Tarbell and used sticky notes to encourage participation.聽
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know a lot (about Tarbell) going in,鈥� said first-year student Vita Cavaliero. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know who she was. I didn鈥檛 know she was famous. I didn鈥檛 know聽about her at all. The more I learned, the more the topic opened up for me.鈥�
Another pop-up explored the history of Greendale Cemetery. The Meadville cemetery holds 21,000 graves on its 200 acres but is recognized for its Romantic aestheticism.聽
鈥淪omething we really don鈥檛 think about a lot is cemeteries and what goes into them, how they鈥檙e made, and what choices go in,鈥� said second-year student Lucas Pasquale.
The group noted that the destination is often likened to a nature preserve or park, rather than a cemetery. Although Greendale Cemetery still primarily functions as a burial ground, it also serves as a clean recreational area for community members and an attraction for tourists.
鈥淭he students often find this to be the most fun part of the semester, but also the most fulfilling,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淚 found a lot of wonderful support from the Allegheny co尘尘耻苍颈迟测.鈥�