Projects:Public Humanities Scholars Projects


From a talk on the music and events of the ‘60s presented by scholar Jerry Zolten at the Public Library for Union County.

Organizations chosen for Public Humanities Scholars clearly explain the role of the humanities in their project, articulating the issues and questions that they will explore with their scholar. Their projects target a broad range of people in mid-central Pennsylvania and are well planned. Finally, selection to Public Humanities Scholars depends on the availability of appropriate scholars.

2008-09 Projects
  • Mark Lusk, Trombone Choir Director at Penn State University, to produce a music assembly for students at Philipsburg Elementary School (Centre County) featuring Penn State’s trombone choir, aimed at inspiring the students to pursue the school’s music program.

  • Jefferson County Historical Society (Jefferson County) is partnering with historian Bill Pencak to plan the production of exhibits, programs and possibly publications that will make up the Historical Society’s Civil War commemoration which is slated to take place from 2011 to 2015.

  • History and environmental studies scholar Brian Black is aiding the Alto Model Train Museum Association (Blair County) in planning educational programs to foster an understanding of and appreciation for the Altoona area’s rich railroading heritage in young people.
2007-08 Projects
  • Historian Bill Pencak partnered with Bellwood Antis Public Library (Blair County) to conduct workshops on collecting war time mementos owned by members of the community and to discuss the personal, historical and political significance of these keepsakes.

  • Centre County Historical Society (Centre County) invited historian Bill Pencak to help plan an exhibition about postal office murals commissioned under the New Deal and what they reveal about art and the local economy during the Depression.

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