By Emma Gatewood, Historical Society of Washington, DC Program Volunteer
The program staff of Investigating Where We Live visited the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. on June 17th, in preparation for the kick-off of 2014’s program in July. The visit was to prepare staff to assist their teen participants in answering the question, “What defines D.C.?,” using the Society’s resources. Program participants will be curating their own exhibit, opening August 1st at the National Building Museum, on their answer to this year’s theme.
Last Tuesday, program staff were introduced to research materials related to D.C. Statehood and Home Rule as one example of what defines D.C.. Materials included newspaper clippings from the 1960’s, original political cartoons by Clifford Berryman from the Evening Star, correspondence between Theodore Noyes and various US politicians, and related ephemera such as flyers, ticket stubs and even tea bags from D.C.’s own tea party in the Potomac.
Investigating Where We Live was started in 1996 by the National Building Museum; it aims to teach high school students about D.C. and provide a forum for their views. The program was honored with a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award last year.
You can help the participants answer the theme’s question, “What defines D.C.,” by tweeting your ideas to @DChistory or @buildingmuseum with #definesDC and #iwwl14.
Participants will be coming for their first visit to the Society in the beginning of July.