Brandie Kay Cline, Assistant Site Manager, Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum
Proposal Type: Structured Conversation
Seeking: Additional Presenters, Specific Expertise,General Feedback and Interest
Abstract: A recent research project at the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, a state historic site in Sedalia, North Carolina, revealed that Dr. Brown was a prominent figure in the long civil rights movement. Dr. Brown was actively involved as a leader and supporter of several civil rights organizations, gaining acclaim as a national speaker on subjects related to the rights of African Americans, women, and workers. Most narratives about the civil rights movement in the 1930s and 1940s, however, do not mention Dr. Brown or dedicate only a few sentences to her. Additionally, the site’s traditional narrative has not included the breadth of Dr. Brown’s civil rights activities, and the inclusion of this aspect of her work has implications for nearly all aspects of our site’s interpretation. What can public historians do to return the women of the civil rights movement to their rightful place, and how does doing so complicate the traditional narratives at the museums and historic sites dedicated to these women or to the history of the Civil Rights Movement?
Seeking: I am seeking co-facilitators for this discussion; in particular, I would like to find individuals who have experience with interpreting women who were involved in the long civil rights movement. My goal is to create a space where participants can compare experiences and come to a better understanding of how these women can be more accurately interpreted and/or better included at historic sites and museums.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to share contact information for other people the proposer should reach out to, please get in contact directly: Brandie Kay Cline,brandie.cline[at]ncdcr.gov
If you have general ideas or feedback to share please feel free to use the comments feature below.
All feedback, and offers of assistance, should be submitted by July 3, 2015.
Related Topics: Government Historians, Museums/Exhibits, Theory
Hi Brandi,
What a great topic! I think that one of the topics that the structured conversation might focus on is how biography can communicate the concept of the “long civil rights movement” to the public. This could be a case study in how valuable historiographical concepts (such as intersectionality) are communicated in interpretation.
This sounds like a great topic that I would love to know more about. Just wanted to throw a little support your way.
Sandy
Great topic! If you’re still looking for additional panelists, you might consider reaching out to the staff at Maggie L. Walker NHS (Richmond), Mary McLeod Bethune Council House (Washington, DC), and Tuskegee Institute NHS.
Thank you so much for your suggestions!