Photographs of a baseball autographed by the 1960s Yankees, including Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris is exhibited by Matthew Kresch
“What is a treasured object in your family? Why is it special?” Fairfield Museum and History Center asked 8th grade students at The Unquowa School these questions. The result is an exhibit of student-designed panels featuring writing and photography of important family objects. The show, which opens on January 7 and runs through February 1, looks at the connection between family stories and local history.
Matthew Kresh discovered that his father owned a Yankees baseball from the 1960s. Nadia Makhraz was proud to display a pen and ink holder that generations of her family used in the town government in Northern Lebanon. The diversity of the objects and what they represent symbolize the important links that we can forge between ourselves and family history. Oftentimes, an object is the only means to know an interesting story about a family member we never got the chance to meet.
The Unquowa School and the Fairfield Museum and History Center are working together to strengthen links between the school and local history. Sharon Lauer, Head of School, and several teachers met with Christine Jewell, director of education at the Fairfield Museum, to discuss a variety of educational programs and projects to engage students in local history and the community. One of the first projects to result from this collaboration is the 8th grade student exhibit, “Our Nation’s Generations.”
“We are pleased to see that the student’s response to this project was diverse and far-reaching. We look forward to working with The Unquowa School and other student groups in the future,” said Jewell.
Nicole Derek proudly displays a pair of earrings from Poland, dating to the early twentieth century and worn by both her mother and grandmother on their wedding days
Students participating in the show made a real connection with the topic. “This is a good way to uncover history about objects in your home. You learn things about your family that you never knew,” said Mark Watson, who chose to exhibit images of his grandfather’s autobiography. The show was named by Nicole Derek, who contributed photos of her most precious family heirlooms; the earrings her grandmother and mother wore for their weddings.
Over 350 years of significant events have shaped this town, yet history is created every day through the activities that occur within our own lives. The Fairfield Museum and History Center seeks to educate the community about our collective past as well as the history that happens today. The Unquowa School students have asked the questions to create these links between past and present. It doesn’t matter what age you are, we are all fascinated by our family stories. Fairfield Museum invites you to visit this special student exhibit and ask these important questions to your family members, you might discover a new family story yourself!
The museum thanks the students for their energy and enthusiasm in creating this exhibit, as well as Sharon Lauer, Head of School, Debbie Leidlein, history teacher and Krissy Sabol of the art department. Student participants include: Rajane Brown, Kamau Burton,Nicole Derek, Brandon Hylton, Joshua Knopf, Matthew Kresch, Marissa Leggiadro, Taylor Lopez-Balboa, Nadia Makhraz, Max Martone, Rachel McDermott, Catherine McNeela, Seth Samowitz, Javante Cameron-Sheffield, Jillian Thornton and Mark Watson.
The Fairfield Museum and History Center is located at 370 Beach Road in Fairfield, CT and is open seven days a week. For more information about this exhibit and the many exciting events and programs that the museum offers, please visit our website at www.fairfieldhs.org or call 203-259-1598.
