Past, Present, and Future
The W. E. B. Du Bois Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst: Activating the Archives for the Issues of Today
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Adam Holmes
W. E. B. Du Bois (1868-1963) was one of the greatest scholars of his time. A pioneer of the field of sociology, Du Bois also produced groundbreaking histories of his own country, as well as the Atlantic World, and Africa. He documented the Black experience in America from 1619 to the beginnings of the Civil Rights era and changed the way people think and talk about race in America. Du Bois was also a tireless and hugely influential activist and leader of movements for social change and racial justice in America and internationally. He co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), convened several Pan-African Congresses, and participated in peace activism well into his eighties. The W. E. B. Du Bois papers, an astonishing collection of nearly 100,000 items that takes up 294 boxes and 122.59 linear feet, resides at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This priceless collection has formed the basis of some of the most important scholarly work on Du Bois of the last four decades. It is also the raison d'etre of the W. E. B. Du Bois Center, a unique space on campus that brings the collection, and Du Bois's other work to life with a year-round series of events and programs. This study presents a brief history of the collection and describe the work of the Center as we try to think through and with Du Bois about the issues of our own time.
Using Augmented Reality to Discover Community in the Borderlands: A Cohort of Learners from Multiple Institutions Created 10 Linked Augmented Reality Exhibits Spread Across Tucson, Arizona
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Lisa Falk
The Arizona State Museum (ASM) recently led an exciting project that transcends traditional boundaries—curatorial, geographical, and technological. Discovering Community in the Borderlands (DCB) is an innovative endeavor that invites visitors to explore the rich cultural tapestry of Southern Arizona through the lens of augmented reality (AR). The community-dispersed experience takes participants on a guided tour across six cultural histories at ten sites in the Tucson area. It was developed in partnership with the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona Center for Digital Humanities, the UA Poetry Center, and five community organizations. It shares historical stories and cultural traditions from diverse Indigenous, Hispanic, African American, and Chinese communities in Tucson. Coming together as a cohort of learners, the group applied imagination, research, storytelling, and technological skills to bring the linked AR exhibits to fruition. It offers a prime example of community-driven storytelling, sharing of resources, and innovation in engaging diverse audiences.
The Architecture of Wandering: Flâneurism Reimagined within Cultural Institutions View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Amos Bar-Eli
This research examines how flâneurism, originally a phenomenon of urban modernity, can transform contemporary museum and library architecture. By analyzing principles of spontaneous discovery and spatial adaptability, this study explores how cultural institutions can incorporate flâneurist approaches to address contemporary challenges in architectural design and visitor engagement. The investigation examines how museums and libraries can evolve through flâneurist-inspired architecture that facilitates wandering, observation, and discovery. Drawing on case studies of innovative cultural institutions and theoretical frameworks, the research demonstrates how architectural elements create more permeable, exploratory spaces that encourage diverse forms of cultural engagement. These design strategies include non-linear circulation patterns, flexible exhibition spaces, and interconnected programming areas that support multiple modes of interaction. By examining contemporary architects and cultural theorists, the study explores how flâneurist principles shape the design of dynamic, responsive civic spaces. This approach challenges traditional institutional narratives while fostering more inclusive, adaptable environments that respond to evolving technological and social needs. The research considers how these architectural interventions enhance visitor experience, foster community engagement, and support cultural institutions' evolving roles in society. By connecting architectural theory with institutional design practices, this research contributes to ongoing discussions about the future of museums and libraries as they adapt to changing social, cultural, and technological landscapes.
