What's Happening?
Drexel University Libraries, Collections & Archives, in collaboration with Toni Pitock, PhD, Department of History (College of Arts & Sciences), and the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel, will host a special exhibit titled 'Exploring National Anniversaries
Through the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel.' This exhibit, supported by Campus250, is a student-curated display created by students in Dr. Pitock’s History of Philadelphia courses. Students Kat McKeown and Sophia Stutte curated the exhibit, which features objects from the 1876 Centennial, 1926 Sesquicentennial, and 1976 Bicentennial. The exhibit includes excerpts from student assignments, related artifacts, and an interactive component designed to prompt visitor reflection. It will be open to the public from May 29 to November 13, 2026, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the W. W. Hagerty Library, 3300 Market Street, Drexel University.
Why It's Important?
This exhibit is significant as it highlights the rich historical resources available within the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel and provides a unique educational opportunity for both students and the public. By focusing on national anniversaries, the exhibit connects local Philadelphia history with broader U.S. historical narratives, offering insights into how these events were commemorated and understood over time. The student-curated nature of the display underscores the university's commitment to experiential learning, allowing students to engage directly with historical artifacts and develop research and curatorial skills. For the public, it offers a chance to explore historical periods through tangible objects and reflective prompts, fostering a deeper understanding of U.S. heritage and the evolution of national identity. The exhibit also reinforces the role of university libraries and archives as vital centers for historical preservation and public education.
What's Next?
The exhibit 'Exploring National Anniversaries Through the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel' will run from May 29 to November 13, 2026. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the W. W. Hagerty Library during its public viewing hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors should check the Libraries' hours page before planning their visit, as the library may be closed on holidays and during final exam periods. The interactive elements of the exhibit are designed to encourage visitor engagement and reflection, suggesting that the university anticipates a thoughtful public response. The success of this student-curated project may also inspire future collaborations between academic departments and the university archives, potentially leading to more student-led initiatives in historical interpretation and public outreach.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond its immediate educational and public engagement benefits, this exhibit contributes to the ongoing dialogue about historical memory and the interpretation of national events. By presenting artifacts from different anniversaries, the exhibit implicitly invites visitors to consider how historical narratives are constructed and re-evaluated across generations. The involvement of students in the curation process adds a contemporary perspective to these historical events, demonstrating how younger generations engage with and make sense of the past. This initiative also subtly promotes the value of archival collections as living resources for research and public understanding, rather than static repositories. It underscores the idea that history is not just a collection of facts, but an ongoing process of interpretation and re-interpretation, shaped by current perspectives and available evidence.
