Abstract
Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums and much more: cemeteries are some of the most misunderstood and least valued spaces of our urban landscapes. Established in 1860, Graceland Cemetery is the most iconic cemetery in Chicago, and one of its most exceptional places: it is a free open-air museum; a multilingual library whose books are made of granite, marble, and bronze; an art gallery that ranges from neoclassical and Egyptian revival to contemporary art; it has a meticulously organized archive of individual and collective memories still to be explored. While Graceland attracts thousands of visitors, including plot owners and organized tour groups, much of its potential as a rich natural and educational space remains underexplored. This is why Graceland Cemetery and DePaul University decided to establish a partnership where students and faculty can develop ideas to transform the cemetery into a more welcoming, accessible and informative space for residents and visitors of Chicago. The course “Anthropology, Accessibility & Rights: Building the Future at Graceland Cemetery” gives students the unique opportunity to contribute to Graceland transformation into one of the United States’ most accessible cemeteries. Working in groups, students collaborate with Graceland staff to enhance the accessibility of this space for diverse audiences, regardless of age, ability, income, language or other factors. This research presents some of the ideas and actions that make this course - and this partnership between a cemetery and a university - a unique laboratory for establishing inclusive and free pathways to cultural access.
Presenters
Michelangelo GiampaoliResearcher, Anthropology, DePaul University, Illinois, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Cemetery, Accessibility, Education
