Making Meaning at Historic Places (2026-2027)

Background

Historic places and cultural landscapes are increasingly being interpreted through broader and more inclusive lenses. Public historians, community organizations and cultural practitioners are expanding the types of places considered historically significant and are working collaboratively with community members to shape interpretation. This includes sites formally recognized by the state as well as those whose histories are being reclaimed — such as neglected African American burial grounds and community-led memory spaces.

Across the country, interpretive work is paying closer attention to issues of social and environmental justice, reparative history and reconciliation, while also considering the emotional and experiential aspects of place. These approaches intersect with questions of identity, collective memory and community building. Digital methods are also reshaping interpretation by making it possible to recover lost landscapes, visualize historical change and extend access to remote or erased environments.

This project explores how meaning is created at historic places and how social and environmental justice can be understood through the experiential context of buildings, landscapes and communities.

Project Description

This project builds on work conducted through the North Carolina Lives and Legacies research lab. Students will engage in primary historical research, public history practices and digital storytelling to examine the changing uses and meanings of selected North Carolina historic places.

The team will work closely with three partner sites:

Bennett Place — a state historic site known for the Civil War surrender of 1865
Duke Homestead — the home, farm and factory buildings of Washington Duke and his family
Catawba Trail Farm — a community farm working to document the lives of enslaved people who lived on land that was once part of Stagville

Students will analyze archival materials, primary documents and historic maps; conduct fieldwork at each site; and evaluate current interpretation practices. Digital humanities methods — including the use of AI for transcription, visualization and interactive exhibitions — will support both research and public storytelling. The team will also design StoryMaps, virtual tours and prototype exhibits to help communicate historical findings to broader audiences.

In addition to historical inquiry, the team will examine how concepts of place, justice and identity function rhetorically and socially across sites. Collaborative work with site partners will ensure that interpretations reflect community priorities and support museums, farms and historic sites in strengthening public engagement.

Anticipated Outputs

Original historical research on past uses, environments and change over time at each site
Assessments of current interpretation and recommendations for expanding content
Digital StoryMaps and virtual walking tours hosted on the North Carolina Lives and Legacies website
A multi-site “pop up” exhibit for use at community events
New content for exhibitions at partner historic sites

Student Opportunities

Ideally, this project team will include 2 graduate students and 5 undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds. Students in history, anthropology, literature, sociology, visual studies, computer science or related fields are encouraged to apply. Students interested in public history, digital storytelling, the built environment or social and environmental justice will find many opportunities to contribute.

Students will gain experience in:

Archival and primary source research
Digital storytelling and data management
AI-assisted document transcription and visualization methods
Public humanities and collaborative interpretation
Community-engaged research with historic sites and nonprofit partners

Graduate students will have opportunities to lead subteams, produce historiographic essays, coordinate digital projects and support project planning. Students will maintain research logs, participate in weekly team meetings and engage in field visits and meetings with partner organizations. A graduate project manager will support coordination and communication across the project.

Timing

Fall 2026 – Spring 2027

Fall 2026:

Introductory workshops on research methods and course readings
Field visits to historic sites and special collections
Small group meetings with site staff
Preliminary reports submitted before winter break

Spring 2027:

Large-group review and refinement of assignments
Field trips to additional North Carolina sites of conscience
Preparation of final project materials, exhibits and website content
Student presentations and creation of Bass Connections showcase poster

Crediting

Academic credit available for fall and spring semesters

See earlier related team, Making Meaning at Historic Places (2025-2026).