2009-2010
With three schools and two community organizations involved, choosing five exhibit topics for our Bangor Community Heritage Project was challenging. We began by brainstorming the possible topics and then added to these after our lively discussion at the Community Conversation held in September.
It was important that our historical partners at the Bangor Public Library and the Bangor Historical Society be able to support our research with primary source materials. Therefore, in deciding on the five exhibits, we took into consideration what collections were available and which of those the Library and Museum were interested in digitizing.
At the Cohen School, where there is a Maine Studies Curriculum, students brainstormed and chose the Shep Hurd/Brady Gang topic. At Doughty School, where the reading of The Diary of Anne Frank is part of the English/Language Arts Curriculum, students were curious about what life was like for Bangor young people in the same time period. At Bangor High School, the devastating 1911 Fire and the rapid reconstruction of the city in the two years following, fit very well with discussions of the Progressive Era in United States History. The Public Library chose the early railroad transportation topic not only because they own important primary source materials but also because it lends itself to continued and future exhibits. The Museum had three very special Civil War letters and anticipated future interest and work because of its upcoming 150th anniversary.
One great thing about the Maine Community Heritage Project is that it is only the beginning. In future years, other classes and organizations can add to what we have started and that is very exciting!
