Rights work made material: An archaeology of the Phyllis Wheatley Home for Girls, Chicago.
The civil rights movement of the 20th century is often understood in terms of singular, historic events and politically-prominent (often male) protagonists; archaeology offers a new lens on this critical moment in US history. Artifacts and archives associated with
African American women engaged in the struggle for equal rights reveal how the demands
of daily life both reflected and shaped their efforts. The larger book project considers
two archaeological sites—one institutional and one family-owned, one in Chicago and one in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Both represent households run by and occupied by women, allowing a focus on their specific perspectives and experiences.
Cost: Free