The
West Virginia Humanities Council is sponsoring a state tour of the
Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition The Way We Worked
that began September 2011 and continues through July 7, 2012.
You may view our online exhibit "West Virginia Worklife" at www.wvencyclopedia.org/exhibits/20.
The six host sites
for THE WAY WE WORKED are:
2011
September 10 - October 22
Marlinton Community Building, Marlinton
(local sponsors are the Pocahontas County Free Libraries and the Pocahontas County Historical Society)
October 29 - December 10
Mary H. Weir Public LIbrary, Weirton
2012
December 17, 2011 – January 28, 2012
Morgantown History Museum, Morgantown
Morgantownhistorymuseum.org
February 4 – March 17
Carnegie Hall, Lewisburg
Carnegiehallwv.com
March 24 – May 5
Point Pleasant River Museum, Point Pleasant
Pprivermuseum.com
May 12 – July 7
Randolph County Community Arts Center, Elkins
Randolpharts.org
The Way We Worked is adapted from an exhibition developed
by the National Archives. It explores how work became a central element
of American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the
workforce and work environment. Why, where, and how do we work? What
value does work have to individuals and communities? The exhibition
consists of five freestanding sections with video, audio, interactive
components, photographs and artifacts mounted in cases.
Host
sites are planning companion displays and supplemental programs that
focus on the history of local businesses, industries, agricultural
work, work at home and other occupations relevant to their local community.
These will include: displays of
work memorabilia, tools, equipment, work clothes, uniforms and photographs;
local exhibitions and discussions that examine the impact of local
industries on the settlement and growth of their community; collecting
stories of workers; and examinations of the historical and societal
aspects of work in their community.
Host
sites are receiving Humanities Council funds to support these programs
and companion displays. Technical assistance and resources to support
program planning and promotion are also furnished to each community.
(Meadow River Lumber Company loggers in Rainelle, ca. early 1900s.)
The
tour is made possible through the Museum on Main Street (MOMS) program,
an alliance of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service,
the Federation of State Humanities Councils, state humanities councils
across the country, and cultural organizations in small, rural communities.
