Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University. http://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/50809
Many heritage institutions across the country are trying a new participatory approach to stimulating conversations about the past. Called “pop-up museums,” the idea is that people bring personal objects and stories to an event. As the activity unfolds, anyone may stand up to discuss their item or share a story. This type of approach stimulates the community conversation and new discoveries as the crowd contributes unique thoughts, knowledge, and experiences to a designated theme.
At the Cecilton Library program on February 10 at 6:30 p.m. you are invited to pop-up and share your personal stories and objects during a program called “Remembering World War II.” It will be a lively evening as we invite people to bring items and we collectively learn more about the men and women who lived during the World War II era. By recounting the first and second-hand stories of those who fought for our freedom or served on the home front, we will more uniquely capture the individual and community level experience of the period while learning more broadly about the history of our nation and region through aging items such as photographs and letters.
The objects related to the World War II-era that people could bring are widely varied. Military memorabilia, posters, artwork, personal photographs, ribbons, letters, ration books, patches, newspapers, and more are perfect. The idea of the artifact is to help with the recounting through the personal object and conversation while also generating interest, participation and conversation.
There are stories you will want to hear, and I will moderate the dialogue, providing context for the shared evening while also keeping things moving along, But you and the other patrons are invited to take the lead, sharing the tales of the greatest generation, while we pay tribute to a vanishing generation of veterans and disappearing memories.
You won’t want to miss this community show and tell focused on the greatest generation and the World War II-era. Of course, you don’t have to have an object. Stories are an excellent, less-centralized way to learn about the past. Or you may simply want to watch and learn, as we hear from the tradition bearers and the heirlooms that have been important for their families.
Space is limited so be sure to register for the program. Click here for more details about the program and click here for the online registration form.
