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Saturday, November 15th
1 — 1:45 p.m.
Columbia Conversations | Woodrow Wilson and Reconstruction Era Columbia: Legacies for the 21st Century
Robert Mills Carriage House : 1616 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a talk and book signing by Jennifer Whitmer Taylor. Her new book, Rebirth: Creating the Museum of the Reconstruction Era and the Future of the House Museum, traces the history of Woodrow Wilson's childhood home in Columbia, using it as a case study to offer best practices for interpreting issues of contested public memory, such as white supremacy and domestic political terrorism, for twenty-first-century audiences. Join the author following the talk for an optional behind-the-scenes exclusive tour of the Museum of the Reconstruction Era, where Dr. Taylor will highlight the most powerful engagement tools in the house based on the docent interviews she conducted and what she would change about her original tour a decade after the home's reopening and writing her book.
Books are available for pre-order with registration and will be for sale on site before Dr. Taylor's talk. Note that Historic Columbia members receive a 30% discount on all USC Press books. If you're unable to attend the book talk, but would still like to purchase a copy of Rebirth, please contact Brooke Flory, Program and Communications Coordinator, at bflory@historiccolumbia.org.
Reserve Tickets:
Please note: The book talk will take place from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m., with book signing to follow. Tours will last approximately 30 minutes and will begin at 2:15 and 3:00 p.m. Those attending the 3:00 p.m. tour are welcome to walk the grounds, explore our gardens, and visit our newly redesigned Welcome Center while they wait for their tour to begin. Tours at capped at 15 attendees per time slot, and are first come, first served.
Book talk only 2:15 p.m. TOUR SOLD OUT Book talk & 3 p.m. tour
About Jennifer Whitmer Taylor
Jennifer Whitmer Taylor is associate professor of public history at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She specializes in museums, oral history, and digital history. As a PhD student at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Taylor served as a weekend docent for Historic Columbia from 2011-2014, and as Lead Facilitator of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home. She developed the semi-guided tour, trained and evaluated docents, and processed visitor evaluations for the reopening.