|  UNC-Chapel Hill
unveils first exhibits
in new online museum of university history
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill unveiled the
first 15 special exhibits in a new virtual museum of university
history at a public symposium in Wilson Library's Pleasants Family
Assembly Room on Thursday, Oct. 12.
The Web-based museum, a joint project of the UNC Center for the
Study of the American South and the University Library, chronicles
many of Carolina's people and events from its founding to the present
day. Click here to visit the museum at http://museum.unc.edu/.
The launch of the online museum was timed
to coincide with University Day, the annual celebration of Carolina's
beginnings as the nation's first public university. This museum
is notably different from many American universities' presentations
of their own histories. UNC-Chapel Hill's virtual museum contains
blunt historical truths, including the role of slavery in the growth
of the university.
"This project was born of both pride and responsibility," said
Harry Watson, director of the Center for the Study of the American
South. "Carolina has a rich and complex story that includes
some very painful episodes. It's important to thoroughly understand
our past in order to move intelligently to the future."
The museum consists of general introductory material, links
to bibliographies on university history compiled by the North Carolina
Collection, and 15 special exhibits of approximately 20 screens
each, covering topics including Carolina's founding, the Civil
War and Reconstruction, the coming of coeducation and modern developments
like the rise of health affairs and the research mission. Throughout
the exhibits are links to further information including original
source materials available through the University Library's "Documenting
the American South" and other online collections.
Chancellor James Moeser asked staff at the Center for the Study
of the American South and the library to begin developing the resource
after a symposium in 2004 that examined the Reconstruction
era at Carolina.
"I came away from those discussions believing foremost that
at Carolina we needed to raise the basic level of understanding
of our university history - among students, administrators, faculty
and staff," Moeser said. "As we develop the virtual museum,
we are facing our proud moments together with some distressing
historical realities, many of which are shared in our state and
national histories."
Moeser said the museum is not a complete university history, emphasizing
that museum creators are aware of important omissions.
"This is an outstanding beginning, and we have a long list
of topics we plan to include as we work to expand the museum," he
said. "The bottom line is that we need to continue to add
to our understanding of history, not subtract from it."
Thursday's symposium will include Watson, Dr. William Darity Jr.,
Boshamer distinguished professor of economics and director of the
Institute of African American Research; Dr. James Leloudis, associate
professor of history, associate dean for honors in the College
of Arts and Sciences and director of the Johnston Center for Undergraduate
Excellence; and Dr. Jacquelyn Hall, Spruill professor of history
and director of the Southern Oral History Program. The panelists
will explore historical perspectives on race and the university;
service to the state and region; and gender and Southern education.
|
