History of a North Country Childhood Exhibit (Exhibition)
Title: History of a North Country Childhood Exhibit
Curator: Sharon Vegh Williams
Abstract: The History of a North Country Childhood Exhibit engages children twelve and under and their families in local history through a digital format. The exhibit is a collaboration between four local institutions including: NCCM, SUNY Canton, Clarkson University and the Potsdam Public Museum. History students from Clarkson University collected oral histories from senior citizens who grew up in this region. The stories focus on the work and play of childhood from an earlier time. SUNY Canton digital storytelling class will edit the stories down to two minutes. They connect the stories and photo images of artifacts to a touch screen for visitor accessibility. Historical artifacts from the Potsdam Public History Museum will be selected that help to illustrate each oral history narrative. Artifacts include toys, school related materials, records, radios, telephones, etc. These everyday objects from the Potsdam Public History Museum collection help tell the story of daily life for children who grew up in the area. Photos of the objects will be used as icons on the touch screens. This permanent exhibit will include: ten digital stories that connect to the artifacts on display. This creative artifact-based exhibit helps connect seniors to the Children’s Museum and elevates their role in the institution and in community life. The exhibit values their memories and stories as our collective history so that young visitors can learn from them.
Year: 2020

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