Local students partnered with Joliet Area Historical Museum to create new exhibit

Dr. Dennis Cremin, history professor and director of the Lewis University History Center, recently described how Lewis University has partnered with the Joliet Area Historical Museum for the "The Emergence of Modern Joliet: Art, Industry & Urbanization" exhibit on display until June 8. His presentation about the JAHM exhibit kicked off a lecture series that continues through April. As part of an assignment for Cremin's Public History class, students conceptualized how Lewis University's extensive collection of historic images by local journalist and artist Adele Fay Williams could be utilized to provide visuals of the Joliet area from 1870-1930. The Public History students encouraged combining her images with the Museum's Harold Whiteside tool collection to highlight the transition of the Joliet area from a rural community to an industrial town, then eventually to an urban city. Dr. Cremin's History of Illinois class researched the topics and drafted text for the exhibit panels. The exhibit's scheme was a group effort by students in the Advanced Design class directed by Leslie Colonna, Lewis University instructor of art and design. Since Williams used the Joliet courthouse in many of her images, students took current photos of the building as it stands today to use as comparison for showing the transition of the area. To view these students click here: http://lewisu.meritpages.com/achievements/Local-students-partnered-with-Joliet-Area-Historical-Museum-to-create-new-exhibit/21391