A Question of History (faculty perspective)
The approach of Illinois’s bicentennial of statehood in 2018 is an appropriate opportunity to reflect on the history of the Prairie State and those public-history agencies that ensure that Illinois’ past continues to have a future. The Historical Administration Class of 2016-17 is pleased to present “A Question of History: Public History in Illinois” as a means of promoting meaning reflection on the field of public history. The exhibit opens at Booth Library on the Eastern Illinois campus on March 30th, 2017, and will continue through July together with related public programs.
Museums, Mementos and Memory: A Pop-Up Museum opens in the Quad outside of Booth Library on March 22nd. This one-day gallery features a collection of memorabilia from historical and cultural institutions, gathered by members of the local community.
HA student Cayla Wagner will host Finding Yourself: Using Archives to Research Your Family Genealogy in Booth Library on April 5th. This event informs participants how to use the Illinois Regional Archive Depository (IRAD) sites to research their family history through records.
A Keeper of History: Dr. Michael Wiant on Archeology, Public History and Preserving the Past in the Witters Conference Room 4440, Booth Library on April 10th. As a part of the exhibit A Question of History, Dr. Wiant’s lecture discusses the intricacies of being a “Keeper of History.” From excavating the Elizabeth Site nesting bowls to becoming Interim Director of the Illinois State Museum, Wiant has been involved in public history in a variety of ways.
Asking the Question: A Guided Exhibit Tour on April 12th is a behind-the-scenes tour of the creation and backstory behind the exhibit. Led by HA students Hailey Paige and Aaron Martin, it will spotlight key objects and give insight to the creation of a student-designed exhibit.
Photos, Papers, and Publications: Restoring Personal Documents is hosted by Bob Bertrand at Pensees Bookshop in Charleston on April 19th. This workshop will teach individuals techniques of restoration to renew and restore their books and papers. Due to limited space, please contact Hailey Paige at hpaige@eiu.edu to register for this event.
The exhibit explores the histories and contemporary programs of several public-history organizations in the Prairie State. Each spring students in the Masters in Historical Administration program, founded in 1975, research, design, fabricate, and install an historical exhibition. Throughout its history the Historical Administration Program has made a significant contribution to the training of public historians—those who do history with and for public audiences. This year’s H.A. exhibit is hardly an exception.
The objects, images, and themes of the exhibit call attention to the significant contributions these agencies have made to the intellectual and cultural life of the Prairie State. Their respective educational and preservation activities have provided a sense of place for several generations of Illinoisans.
