Our 2022-2023 DSMP collaboration began with our Orientation Explore! group this August. This program initiated our collaboration with Sumner Hall, Located in historic Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Sumner Hall is one of two existing African American G.A.R. buildings still standing in the United States. Built circa 1908 and fully restored in 2014, it serves today as a museum, educational site, performance stage, social hall, and gallery.
Sumner Hall board members Ruth Shoge and Larry Wilson worked with students to begin the process of digitizing objects, composing descriptive object labels and adding media to the developing virtual tour.
Students had an opportunity to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture as well as the Lunder Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D. C. They had a special opportunity to meet with Time Based Media Specialist Harvey Sandler who described his work at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Students also had the opportunity to meet with Washington College alumnus Arian Ravanbakhsh learning about his career at the National Archives and his time at Washington College.
Our Orientation Explore! students had an incredible experience in this first collaboration! Our sincerest thanks to all of our community collaborators near and far! Stay tuned for updates on this collaboration!