HIST396: Special Topics in Public History is a class designed not only to give students an understanding of the field of public history, but hands on experience working in the field. Over the spring semester, the class worked together to construct an exhibit based on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While this was the overall foundation of the exhibit, as a class we were tasked to collaboratively decide on a theme, subjects for panels, what artifacts to focus on, the title, poster design, and exhibit summary. 

For the exhibit theme, title, poster design, and exhibit summary, each student gave a pitch of what they thought would work best for the project. After pitches were done, the class discussed their favorite ideas and chose one to represent us best. After all of those factors were chosen, the class was split into three groups to make up a plan for the exhibit panels, including choosing what type of artifacts to focus on (people, objects, or documents). Each group proposed a plan of what path to go on, and eventually the class worked together to decide to base the exhibit off of objects. 

Either solo or in pairs, the class then chose artifacts, and wrote the text for each exhibit panel. This ended us with eleven panels, and twenty two artifacts making up the exhibit. The exhibit, titled ""Delenda Est Norfolk" went on display at Old Dominion University's Perry Library.

As someone who wishes to one day work in the field of public history and community outreach and education, this project gave me a taste of what the process of exhibit construction is like. It showed me how collaborative the process often is, and how many things must be considered. It isn't just about presenting good information to the public, but also how to make it appealing, accessible, and engaging to the widest audience of people.