Exploring Dayton’s Public History

Each year, the public history students at Wright State University hold a graduate symposium to enable them to present their research and capstone projects. If you love local history, you won’t want to miss some of the great stories these students have discovered.

PLUS: The featured speaker this year is George Willeman (pictured right), Library of Congress Film Vault curator and WSU film grad.

The symposium will be held on Friday, March 14, in the WSU Student Union. The Symposium is free, but please RSVP by March 7. RSVP by calling the Wright State University Archives at 937-775-2092 or register at http://www.libraries.wright.edu/calendar/events.php.  Free parking is available in the Visitor Lot of the Student Union. See map at www.wright.edu/university-maps/campus-maps.

It’s a full day of great local history compiled by the students. The schedule includes:

8:15-9:00 Registration and Refreshments

9:00-9:15 Welcome

9:15-10:00 Keynote Speaker, George Willeman, Library of Congress Nitrate Film Vault  Manager

10:00-10:15 Break – Snacks provided

10:15-11:15 Session I: The Legacy of World War I

• Kaitlyn Goss: “Miami Valley African-American Communities During World  War I”
•  Karis Raeburn: “The Amazing Adventures of Alice Carr”
•  Kyle Yoho: “A Long Way from Home: The Story of Clark County Men Serving  with the 324th Field Artillery in the Great War”

11:15-12:45 Lunch – Enjoy a meal at the Student Union or one of the many area restaurants

12:45-1:00 Introduction to Wright State University’s Public History Program, Dawne Dewey, Head of Special Collections and Archives and Director of  Public History

1:00-2:00 Session II: Interpreting Local History 

• Christopher Erb: “Dayton and Its Gem of an Arcade”
•  Seth Marshall: “Interpreting the Battleship: USS Indiana”
•  Rebekkah Mulholland: “A Forty-year old Legacy: The Unique History of  Wright State University”

2:00-2:30 Poster Session and Break- Snacks provided

2:30-3:10 Session III: Women with Nerve 

• Sarah Aisenbrey: “Virginia Kettering: A Legacy in Dayton”
•  Marcus Manchester: “The Legacy of Dorothy Stang”

3:10-3:15 Public History 40th Anniversary Preview

3:15-3:30 Closing Remarks

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