Cribs: State House Edition

Cribs: State House Edition

The 2017 Legislative Session has been a journey so far and I figured that a tour might be in order. I will do my best to give you a sample of the scenery and history that lives here in the heart of Annapolis.

I figured that a good place to start would be the historical marker of the state house. This marker is in the backyard of the state house. I had finished up most of my work for the day and so I decided to go on an adventure. This adventure provided an incredible amount of historical significance that I knew was located here. This marker begins to tell the story of how integral Annapolis was to the establishment of the United States. First, it was the capitol of the country for about one year. I personally thought that was really cool to think that Annapolis was the epicenter of the United States at one point in time.

The 1786 U.S. congress met in the current building as well. I found out that many of them stayed in what is known as the Robert Johnson house. This house is now part of the Historic Inns of Annapolis. I had the opportunity to stay there for two nights during the only bad snowstorm that we had this winter. It has maintained its eighteenth-century architecture and feel and is located literally fifty feet from the Governor’s Mansion and the State House. I felt like I had gone back in time and woke up in one of my history books. I know that not too many people will agree but I am thankful that we had that snowstorm.

Our next stop on the tour is at the bell that was on the USS Maryland. The USS Maryland was stationed at Pearl Harbor from 1921-1946 as you might be able to see on the label at the bottom of the bell. This ship was left significantly damaged due to the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, the ship was repaired and returned to Pearl Harbor shortly after. This is pretty much the closest that I have come to seeing the Attack on Pearl Harbor firsthand. It was a significant event in American History and seeing this bell made me stop and think about the resilience that so many Americans displayed on that day.

We will now proceed to enter the State House and check out a few of the areas that I found intriguing. First up, 

I am aware that the screen is all glared up, but this room was one of the best in terms of providing information. I found myself viewing the room from the public history perspective and from the perspective of a citizen of Maryland. This is the main wall of four, each of which display quotes from Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington and multiple other significant figures. This main display focused on George Washington’s time spent in Annapolis around the conclusion of the American Revolution. If you look to the middle right you can see the widely known image of Washington crossing the Delaware River. I will say that they did an impressive job with their exhibits and their public history strategies. They have incorporated interactive exhibits that provide interesting facts about many things that involved Annapolis.

This brings us to my favorite room of the tour, 

Here stands a statue (life size), of George Washington, located in the former Senate Chamber of the State House. Washington was about six foot one or two for those that were wondering. The room has been renovated into a “tour room” which displays enough of the room to give an idea of the chamber’s setup back in the eighteenth-century. This statue represents George Washington giving his resignation to Congress on December 23, 1783. Washington wanted to show the people of the country that the United States would be established in the right way. The right way meant that the military general would not assume rule of the country as many others had done in Britain and France for example. He addressed a full room and it was said that there were tears in every eye of the room as he gave his speech. Even Washington began to get emotional as he resigned as Commander-in Chief of the Continental Army. 

I challenge you to do what I did when I entered this room. Imagine that it is December 23^rd, 1783 and you are watching Washington give his resignation address. What do you see? What is the feeling in the room? Do you think he is doing the right thing? You are a member of this new country and Washington, your leader, is going against all traditions that you have been raised to know. Are you inspired and what is your outlook on the future?

I would like to conclude our tour in the State House by staying in the same room, but from a different perspective. 

This is a statue of Mary Ridout in the former senate chamber. She was present at Washington’s resignation address in 1783. She watched from the balcony because women were not allowed on the floor of the chamber. Women were only allowed to view from the upper balcony. I thought that it was of the utmost importance to take note of this. I asked multiple questions about what it was like to be there for Washington’s address and what it felt like. I would imagine that for Mary Ridout it was a much different feeling than any of the congressmen on the floor. Why were women not allowed to participate, why were they only allowed to be spectators? This room is my favorite because of all of the historical significance that it contains. It has the main founding father of the United States memorialized as a statue and he is delivering one of the most significant speeches of his life. It also displays a woman that is relegated to the balcony and is only allowed to spectate, why?

I would like to thank you for taking to time to go along on this tour of the State House. We were able to cover a sample of what the State House holds in store for those that visit. I hope that this sample inspires you to get the full course and check out the place on your own. I wanted to make sure that I did not just work here, but that I learned the history behind Annapolis and the historical foundation that we build upon with each passing day. Session is in the homestretch now and I am excited to report the good news, hopefully, once everything is all said and done.

Take Care and see you on Sine Die!

My Internship Experience So Far at USG's Priddy Library

  

My name is Ethan Falk and I am currently an intern at the Universities at Shady Grove Priddy Library. I began working at the library in early February. I report directly to my supervisor Nickolas Falk (no relation) and also to his supervisor Irene Munster. So far, my duties as the Priddy Library intern include creating exhibits, uploading and maintaining the exhibits and collections on the Omeka and Neatline programs, as well as, being involved in meetings for various events.

 My first task as the intern at Priddy Library was to put together an exhibit for March, which is Women’s History Month. I incorrectly assumed that one month was plenty of time to think of, put together, print, and hang the exhibit, however, it took the entirety of the month and the finished exhibit was hung March 1. My initial step was to brainstorm an idea for the exhibit. Nickolas wanted me to avoid repeating past Women’s History Month exhibits, such as, Women in Science or Literature. I came up with the idea of showing women that are depicted on currencies. I was inspired after I realized that the United States only ever had Martha Washington on a banknote (this is not including coins, like the Sacagawea or Susan B. Anthony golden dollars or the special edition Hellen Keller quarter dollar). With the help and creative input of Eileen Harrington and Antoinette Negro, I decided to name the exhibit “Women on the Money.”

I began researching different countries central banks to find women who were depicted on banknotes. Once I found women from countries representing every continent, I began research on the women and searched for images of the banknote within the public domain. Finding public domain pictures proved to be difficult and I had to reach out to private companies and central banks of countries to gain access to copy write restricted images. The Central Bank of Paraguay was extremely cooperative and not only granted me permission, but supplied a better image of the requested banknote. Aside from seeking non-copy write images, the research had to be presented in a nonbiased and informational style since the exhibit was being published by the institution.

 

"Women on the Money" Exhibit on display at the Priddy Library

Merely producing the exhibit does not include the entire scope of the project. After compiling the exhibit into a finished project, the information and images need to be uploaded onto Omeka and Neatline. These are two programs that not only backup the information, but allow the information to be shared with cooperating institutions and students. Although Omeka and Neatline have relatively user friendly interfaces, the large and repetitive amount of metadata to be entered can be somewhat daunting. On top of entering the data for the exhibit I created, “Women on the Money,” I was also tasked with cross-referencing information on previous exhibits with the Priddy Library Archived Events site, Omeka’s data, Neatline’s data, and a Microsoft Excel sheet with the backup data. All of them need to match up with each other in order for information to be shared and published on a medium accessible to the public.

Once the work on the “Women on the Money” exhibit was complete, I began preliminary research on the next event. At some point this semester, the Priddy Library will be hosting a screening of a documentary on Julius Rosenwald, aptly titled, Rosenwald, by acclaimed American filmmaker Aviva Kempner. The Priddy Library plans on displaying an exhibit to highlight the importance Julius Rosenwald has had on the educational experience of African Americans in southern states during segregation. Meeting with Irene, Nickolas, and Leah Rufus, I created an outline for the prospective exhibit and started to compile images and information about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools.

           

Another aspect of my internship that has been an educational experience has been the ability to sit in on meetings. It has shown me the complexity and invaluable resource of interdepartmental cooperation. Last year, Nickolas worked with Rachel Carstens, Coordinator from the Center for Academic Success (CAS) on an award winning event, “Keep Calm and Color.” The recognition that the event got encouraged the Priddy Library and CAS to hold the event again and I was able to sit in on the meeting discussing the parameters for relaunching the event this semester.

Victor Mercogliano
Maryland General Assembly

                                                            The House is in Session

                               Welcome to Annapolis for the 2017 Legislative Session!! 

My internship is to gain a first-hand experience in the Maryland General Assembly. I am learning about the legislative process. As a history major, I have learned a particular set of skills that have benefitted me in my internship. I have worked with a bill the same way that I would with a research paper. I have conducted research from credible sources, made presentations, and emphasized the significance of the proposed bill. I believe that history has provided a solid foundation for me to succeed in this environment. One of the most notable benefits is my ability to introduce new ideas and interpretations on legislation. In my history classes, I have been encouraged to think outside of the box and form my own interpretation. When it comes to legislation, the new ideas have the potential to provide just the right type of support for a bill so that it passes. History has made me a dynamic thinker that is truly passionate about getting the best evidence and presenting it well.

I am loving every second of this internship. Every single day is an invigorating experience. My goodness, we are moving and working from start until finish. We are conducting research, getting calls from the house floor, hearing testimony and even sitting at the testimony table. I have done that twice so far. This experience can be overwhelming at times as it is fast-paced and requires your best effort all the time. I have had the chance to experience so many different aspects of Annapolis and the General Assembly already. I am speaking with Delegates, Senators, Staff and Lobbyists each day that I am there.

Where to begin…? Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo and I grabbed lunch in the beginning of my time in Annapolis. We were able to usurp 23 years of eating tendencies and I tried Sushi for the first time. Wow! It was unbelievably delicious. We discussed government, history, and why each of us were in the General Assembly. He is a humble guy that I could easily relate with. He was a history major and wanted to represent the people in his district. I agree with a lot of his legislation and policy that he has on the table for the session.

Next, I am thrilled that each day is full of challenges. My tasks vary from day to day but each one is filled with an array of significant challenges. It is an enlightening thought that each task that I complete and each challenge that I face in some way, shape, or form factors into making Maryland a better place. I understand that I am interning there and not a Delegate or Senator. That being said, I have not felt or been made to feel inferior in any way shape or form. My experience has been met with respect and my work has gone beyond the atypical “grunt work” tasked to interns. That is also probably due to the fact that my work ethic is like my metabolism. I am always hungry and ready for the next task.  

It is year 3 out of 4 for each delegate and senator. This means that this year is the one to get your bills passed and to build a solid resume to get reelected. This is the House Floor where the delegates will discuss, debate, and vote on legislation. There are about 140 Delegates this year so it will be a packed house. There are already over 1500 bills that have been introduced in the House up to this point.

I am interning in the Office of Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo of District 15. We are located in Room 226 of the Lowe House Building. (Feel free to stop by any time, we have snacks and smiles all throughout the day) I am incredibly pleased with the office staff and Delegates. I say Delegates because the office is a total of four rooms, one for each delegate, one for the legislative aides, and then there is the main room which I work alongside our receptionist. Delegate Kramer of District 19 is adjacent to Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo. Our office is known as the most lively office on the second floor if not the entire building.

Here’s a picture of Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo speaking at the Fracking Press Conference:

The ASPCA reception that I went to with Delegate Kramer(on the right) a few weeks ago:

                                

                   

                 

Those two lovely beagles are named George Washington and Alex Hamilton. Yes, after the founding fathers. I have attended numerous receptions while at my internship. Each of these have been a win-win situation. I have listened to issues and met with people from various organizations. I heard a brave young girl read a personal narrative in front of a room of about fifty people. This brave girl suffers from dyslexia and I was truly moved by her courage. In addition, I met with some members of the Board of Education and discussed issues in our schools. I listened to what their concerns were for the future of education in Maryland. I believe that this issue is one of the most important to me. I want our children to succeed in schools and have an opportunity to thrive beyond their imagination.

There was a Thursday night in January where my UMBC and my General Assembly worlds crossed paths. UMBC had its 2^nd annual Annapolis State Alumni Event.

This event is for any current UMBC students to meet UMBC alumni that currently work in state government. This event was a wonderful experience for all that attended. Dr. Hrabowski is on the far left, followed by current state employees; Delegates, chief of staff for Governor Hogan, and Senator. I had the opportunity to personally meet Dr. Hrabowski and Delegate Chang who is standing 2^nd to the left. Each of the current UMBC students were given a platform to introduce themselves to the rest of the room. I introduced myself and gave testament to the Universities at Shady Grove. I made sure to announce that I was loving it there under the tutelage of Dr. Nolan and Dr. Blair. The theme was that UMBC was making their presence known throughout the state. So I said “We are breaking new ground at Shady Grove as well, and we are a whole new breed.” I guess I said the right thing because everyone enthusiastically clapped and cheered at that moment. It was a wonderful event and a great “coincidence.”

My Delegate currently is on 98 bills for this session. He is the Primary Sponsor on 14, Co-Sponsor of 83, and is doing one bill per request. We spend most of our time focusing on our primary bills. I have had the opportunity to conduct research on most of these bills. We have not had the chance to introduce each of them just yet. I will certainly follow up on our legislation once we have had a chance to introduce each bill. I must say that the research aspect of this internship has played right into my wheelhouse. It is fair to say that my history classes have battle-tested me for a situation such as this one.

Stay tuned for the next segment of the Maryland General Assembly! We are midway into session and things are heating up!

At last the Finding Aid is up!

For the past year and a half I’ve worked on and off as intern at the Maryland Historical Society’s Imaging Services Department (which is led by a graduate of the UMBC’s Public History program!). I’ve had the chance to do a lot of interesting things during my time there, but I’ve mostly worked on one collection in particular: the photographs and other materials of Joseph Kohl, a Baltimore photographer who was active in the 1980s, 90s, and first years of the 00s.

For some background, here's an interview that my supervisor did with Baltimore City Paper about the collection in 2015.

It’s been fascinating to work on the Kohl collection for a lot of reasons. The Historical Society doesn’t really have any other collections like it (I mean, some of the photos in it are of people wearing gimp suits for crying out loud), and it documents an entire era of the city’s history that hasn’t been examined very much by historians or even by photographers whose work from that time has been published. A number of large-format photo books of Baltimore were published during the 1990s, but pretty much all of them feature the kind of stock images we’re used to seeing of the Inner Harbor, the skyline, steamed crabs on a newspaper, etc. Much of Kohl’s work -- his photos of queer nightlife and anti-war rallies, for example -- tells a different story about the city. What makes the collection as a whole so interesting is the mix of his commercial work as a professional freelance photographer (corporate headshots, youth sports games, etc.) and this other, wilder side of Baltimore that he pursued on his own time. He had access into a lot of different rooms, in other words, and so from a historical point of view the Kohl collection seems indispensable for anyone trying to understand what was really going on here at the end of the 20th century.

Another enriching aspect of working with the collection has been the chance to learn about the actual materials of photography themselves. Handling the negatives, the model-release waivers, the little boxes of slides, Kohl’s Zip drive from the early days of digital -- this stuff gives off a special resonance for me since my own father was a photojournalist and then became a professional freelance photographer in Maryland just like Kohl did and at pretty much same time. I have much greater appreciation now for what my father was up to all those evenings in the darkroom in our basement! Working on the collection really forces you to think a lot about the technology of photography -- the fact that photography was so much more of a specialized craft in the era of film (not that it’s not now, but you know what I mean). I know that at the point we’re able to put an exhibit together around Kohl’s work, we want to foreground those ideas in our interpretation of Kohl as part of the generation of photographers, like my father, whose careers spanned the gulf from film to digital.

In my next posts I’ll go into more detail about certain aspects of what’s involved in managing a collection like this, but the big news this week is that the Finding Aid has finally gone live! I wrote some of the introduction and much of the actual finding aid itself. So check it out!