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Published on October 30, 2018

The Digital History Lab: Local Museums Meet with History Faculty

On October 24, 2018, the History faculty met with representatives of the three local museums: Mark Granville, President of the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, Dr. Jamie Eves, Executive Director of the Mill Museum and Town Historian, Paula Sullivan, Board Member from the Mill Museum, and Dr. Bob Horrocks, President of the Windham Historical Society from the Jillson House Museum. Dr. Jamel Ostwald, Dr. Anna Kirchmann, and Dr. Tom Balcerski introduced the guests to the Digital History Lab and its potential for collaboration between the museums and the Department of History.

Group brainstorms digital collaboration between Eastern’s History Department and local museums.
Group brainstorms digital collaboration between Eastern’s History Department and local museums.
(L-R) Bob Horrocks, Jamel Ostwald, Mark Granville, Ania Kirchmann, Paula Sullivan, Jamie Eves
(L-R) Bob Horrocks, Jamel Ostwald, Mark Granville, Ania Kirchmann, Paula Sullivan, Jamie Eves

During the meeting, Dr. Ostwald, who heads the DHL, demonstrated the available hardware and software, and showcased examples of digital history projects which can be pursued by the museums and the department. Among those, Omeka with its online exhibit potential, and ideas for a digital Windham history project garnered the most attention. Dr. Kirchmann reviewed the rules for the History Department internship program, as students’ involvement will be at the heart of the collaboration. “Our history majors will have a chance to learn hands-on skills and gain professional experience, which will be very marketable, and at the same time they will provide valuable service to the local community,” Kirchmann said. The group will reconvene in the Spring semester to continue the conversation.

Written by Bradley Davis