The Reece Museum at ETSU invites members of the community to bring artifacts and stories related to religious and spiritual life in Appalachia to a History Harvest documentation event on Nov. 15.
Members of the community are invited to bring photographs, Bibles, hymnals, stories and more related to their religious history and spiritual life to the Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University for a “Community History Harvest: Religious History, Sacred Objects, Spiritual Life.”
This one-day, drop-in event will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It is the last in a series of programs presented in conjunction with the Reece Museum’s current exhibition, “The Place Speaks: Sacred and Artistic Genealogies of Appalachia,” which is on display through Dec. 12.
Museum staff and ETSU students will document the materials shared using digital photography, video recording and audio interviews so that the items can be preserved and studied by current and future historians. Participants will take their objects home the same day, but their stories and digital records will contribute to the history of religious, sacred and spiritual life in the region.
“A History Harvest is about uncovering hidden stories and treasures in our community,” said Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler, assistant professor of history at ETSU. “The stories and objects people share – sometimes small, everyday items – can be invaluable windows into the history of religious life and spiritual practices in Appalachia. It’s exciting for our students to be part of that process of discovery and preservation.”
Community members are encouraged to bring a wide variety of objects, from traditional religious items, such as Bibles, hymnals, church records and photographs, to more personal or unique artifacts that they may regard as sacred or spiritual. Stories of experiences – whether connected to a sacred object, a memory of religious practice, or the role of religion and spirituality in everyday life – are equally valuable contributions. The project invites the full spectrum of religious and spiritual practices in Appalachia.
The History Harvest is organized in partnership with Adler’s undergraduate “Religion in Appalachia” class. Students will serve as greeters, interviewers and archivists throughout the day, gaining hands-on experience in public history while engaging directly with the local community.
The Reece Museum, located at 363 Stout Drive, Johnson City, on the ETSU campus, is a unit of the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services. Regular museum hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
For more information on the History Harvest, contact Adler at adlerj@etsu.edu or call the museum at (423) 439-4392.
