Meighen Katz, Lovell Chen (Architects and Heritage Consultants)
PROPOSAL TYPE
Roundtable
Seeking
- Seeking Additional Presenters
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
RELATED TOPICS
- Museums/Exhibits
- Social Justice
- Place
ABSTRACT
One of the conversations to arise from the #MeToo/#It’sTime discourses has been the frequency with which empathy for women is framed in terms of their relationship to others, for example, “she is someone’s daughter”. Museums and public history sites have, at times, fallen into a similar trap in which the context for women’s experience has remained one which places women within in a family group.
This session will highlight interpretations that have recognised the experiences of single women, separate to family units, and examine the ways in which those public history narratives offer up the new ways of thinking and talking about women’s experience so as to reframe the conversation from “she is someone’s” to “she is someone”.
DESCRIPTION
In thinking about this question, I am particularly interested in the reframing of domestic space to single women’s domestic space, particularly that of older single women. Glasgow’s Tenement Museum is a prime example of a site that uses a traditional house museum format but which not only recognises but on some level celebrates the day-to-day life of a woman who remained single her entire life. But this is just one angle from which the question of interpretation of single women can be explored.
I’m seeking other presenters who may have similar or intersecting interests and/or expertise to put together a larger joint proposal. I see this as a round table (though I’m open to other formats).
My one caveat with my application is that I live in Melbourne, and at this point it’s not clear when the Australian border will reopen. I’m hoping that it will be by the end of the year but I may end up having to be a virtual attendee.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Meighen Katz, Lovell Chen (Architects and Heritage Consultants), [email protected]
ALL FEEDBACK AND OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 1, 2021. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
Meighen – I’m psyched about this idea, though admittedly am struggling to come up with examples of “single” women interpreted well (or badly) here in the States. Further evidence of the bias you discuss above. How do you feel about the complication of interpreting a woman widowed at a young age who never remarried? If it might work – the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House (Michigan, USA) might be an interesting partner to talk with
Hi Sarah,
Apologies in the delay in getting back to you. While widowed women are a slightly different category, I think it makes an interesting comparison. Be happy to talk further if you’re interested.
Perhaps you could look at the Tenement House Museum in NYC or some of the historic sites or museums around the mills and other industries supported by single women for potential participants? There also were quite a few single women involved in the suffrage movement so that could be another avenue. I know those are just theme ideas as opposed to specific people you could contact! For a panel like this, it could be interesting to not just include sites that already are doing this but also ones that are not so that they can reflect on their process and suggest how they could change or would like to change.