Congratulations to Kaitlyn Medley, a Spring 2010 graduate of the APH Program, whose article, “Keep It Down Over There! Milblogs: Evidence that Historic Things Happen,” appeared in the current (July-December 2011) issue of the Journal of Archival Organization (pp. 141-169). The article is a revision of Kait’s capstone project in the program and is a fascinating look at the world of military blogs and their significance as a new form of historical source.
Peter
On 27 January 2012, NYU students from the Archives and Public History Program and the Program in Museum Studies had the unique opportunity to go on a private tour at the newly renovated New York Historical Society. Additionally, students were invited to participate in a discussion over lunch with both the Historian and Assistant Historian for Special Projects.
The renovations at the New York Historical Society have transformed the library into a state of the art reading room and have incorporated cutting edge technology into their exhibits, galleries and movie theater. Their use of technology has created an enjoyable and interactive approach to history.
New York Historical Society/Jon Wallen
Our tour began at the Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture on the fourth floor. The Luce Center showcases, behind clear glass walls, nearly 40,000 objects from the permanent collection which were formerly kept in offsite storage. This unique storage also offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at a working museum collection. Each object in the Luce Center has its accession number listed and visitors can use it to access information from their smart phones.
Then, it was onto the exhibit Revolution! The Atlantic World Reborn which is the first exhibition to recount the American, French and Haitian revolutions as a singular global narrative. Visitors enter this exhibit through a replicated portside tavern which comes equipped with “historical” graffiti and motion activated audio “historical” commentaries. The entire exhibit integrates various types of materials: painting and prints, historical documents, audiovisual and interactive learning stations.
The tour concluded in the newly designed Robert H. and Clarice Smith New York Gallery of American History. Mounted on columns facing the entrance are large digital screens displaying a continuous slide show of materials from their permanent collection. The exhibit New York Rising stole the show, however. It illustrates New York’s critical contribution to the founding of the United States beginning with the American Revolution and ending with the New York Historical Society’s founding in 1804. What makes this exhibit remarkable is the use of cutting-edge technology. Large moveable touch screens allow visitors to pan over objects in the exhibit and then click on those images for more information. Information ranged from basic (what you would find on a wall plaque) to in-depth, by simply by following the hyperlinks. There were also a few hidden animations within the objects on the touch screens.
Visitors to the Smith Gallery should also look down because embedded within the floor are nine porthole-like floor cases displaying objects found by archaeologists and other professionals within the ground of New York City.
Overall, the event lasted over three hours and during the Q & A students were asked for their opinions on the new renovations and use of technology. The discussion was thought provoking for both parties and an incredible learning opportunity.
-Lynda VanWart
On December 14th, 2011, the Introduction to Public History class in the NYU Archives and Public History Program presented to an enthusiastic audience of approximately seventy Village residents the history of East 7th Street. The presentation was given in collaboration with the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. Throughout the course of its work to preserve Greenwich Village, GVSHP has learned a lot about the architectural history of the area. To supplement its work, we, the students in the Introduction to Public History class, researched the social and cultural history of East 7th Street.
Working in pairs, each group was assigned one block on the street between 3rd Avenue and Avenue D. Throughout the semester, we used census records, newspaper articles, Sanborn maps, and photographs to piece together stories of East 7th Street’s past. Although we all worked on one small area, our findings were diverse, and groups focused on many different themes, including public health, politics, the military, immigration and tenement living, and changes in the ethnic makeup of the neighborhood throughout the 19th century. At the public program, each pair presented its findings, accompanied by historic photographs and newspaper clippings. At the end, attendees asked many questions and shared some of their historical knowledge of the neighborhood. In addition to the talk, each group also wrote a short blog post for GVSHP’s website. Overall, the program was a great success, and we all enjoyed engaging public interest in local New York City history. Thank you to GVSHP Program and Administrative Associate, Dana Schulz, GVSHP Director of Preservation and Research, Elizabeth Finkelstein, and our professor, Dr. Peter Wosh. Your guidance throughout the semester was invaluable to each of us!
THEN: The Tompkins Market and Armory was completed in 1860 and housed a butchers’ meat market along with the 7th regiment of the militia. When the 7th regiment moved uptown in 1879, the 69th regiment took over their old headquarters before the building was demolished in 1911.
NOW: The new Cooper Union building was completed in 2009 and is the first academic building in New York City to receive a LEED platinum rating, the most rigorous level of certification that acknowledges the building’s array of green features which reduce energy use and enhance the environment.
-Heather Wilson and Megan Findling
FINAL HDC BROCHURE FEB 2012.pdf