Ellwood House Museum presents ‘Handwritten History’

DeKALB – On Thursday, Aug. 5, at noon, join the Ellwood House and DeKalb County History Center for “Handwritten History,” a free lecture by Audrey King, the Ellwood House Museum’s curator of education and interpretation.

Three-dimensional objects often take center stage in museum exhibits, but letters, legal documents, and other texts can be some of the most helpful resources for understanding the past.

During this one-hour presentation, King will share the process of transcribing and caring for documents in the collection, uncover some of the stories revealed in these documents, and highlight volunteer opportunities in the collections space.

“Documents are special because you often hear about people’s lives in their own words,” King said in a news release. “Sometimes the information was meant to be shared, and sometimes you get a peek into a very personal side. Paired with objects, and with other sides of the same story, you can start to unfold a more complete picture.”

The presentation is part of Brown Bag Lunch/Local Lore, the museums’ series of free monthly lectures.

“Handwritten History” will be held in-person in the Ellwood House Museum’s Visitor Center. To register, contact Audrey King at 815- 756-4609 or king@ellwoodhouse.org.

Brown Bag Lunch/Local Lore is supported by the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund. The Ellwood House Museum is located at 420 Linden Place in DeKalb.