When Stevenson Public History major Erin Davis, an intern at the Historical Society of Baltimore County, was given the opportunity to design, develop, and implement a local display to augment a nationally touring exhibit regarding Abraham Lincoln, she jumped at the opportunity. The nationally touring exhibit, "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to Emancipation," and Erin’s local complementary display mark their debut on Monday, January 25, in the Towson branch of the Baltimore County Public Library’s (BCPL) rotunda at 6:00 p.m. According to the American Library Association, “Forever Free” reexamines President Lincoln’s efforts to abolish slavery during the Civil War. "Organized by The Huntington’s John Rhodehamel, Norris Foundation Curator of American Historical Manuscripts, the exhibit consists of reproductions of rare historical documents from The Huntington’s collections and those of the Gilder Lehrman Institute, and draws on the latest scholarship in the field."
As host to the touring exhibit, the BCPL contacted Baltimore County’s local historical society and asked if the society had anything in its collection that might shed light on Baltimore County’s involvement in the Civil War. Stevenson Public History professor, Dr. Glenn T. Johnston, president of the county historical society, immediately called Erin to see if she wanted to design the exhibit. Even though she was on Winter Break, Erin came in and helped Johnston identify the best items for display, research the authenticity and story of each piece, and translate those stories into textual and graphic displays. Then, Erin designed how each item would be displayed within the six display cabinets available at the library. The final complementary exhibit is centered on 12 items which include swords, bayonets, an oath of allegiance, Confederate war bonds, a military map, an apothecary chest, and a very special revolver. The items will be on display in the rotunda of the Towson library 320 York Road, Towson, Maryland 21204-5179 until March 6, 2010.
Great job, Erin! Thanks for helping to make the Stevenson University Public History major more “public.”