Presenting: History is a Story, Part Two
Content: asylum, "insane," cemetery
Highlights
This conversation explores intricate relationships between memory, preservation, & historical narratives surrounding the asylum and Poor Farm Cemetery. Emerson discusses the importance of recognizing the power dynamics at play in preserving the stories of those who lived in these spaces, the discomfort that comes with confronting difficult histories, & the role of imagination in understanding the past. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of community involvement in preservation efforts & how physical remnants of history serve as important record keepers.
Conclusion
Preservation saves & honors structures & stories. Discomfort can lead to deeper understanding and value. Rumors reflect community desire to understand its past. Preservation can be a form of forgiveness & a commitment to future generations, preservation & restoration can be an emergence story.
Transcript
For full transcript, visit: disabilityecologiespodcast.buzzsprout.com
Credits
Written & narrated by Emerson Cram, University of Iowa. Recorded with Riverside FM. Production & Sound Editing by Maura De Cicco.
All media clips used for educational purposes only. Sound licensed through Pixabay.
Iowa City Public Library, “Tell Me Your Story: Bob Burns,” Interview with Ellen Buchanan, 1991; August 9, 2017.
The Proper People, “Exploring an Abandoned Asylum–Decayed Buildings with Power,” May 26, 2023.
Tom Naples, “Prairie Farewell,” Music from the Depression, no date.
Special Thanks
With thanks to Maura De Cicco; University of Iowa Departments of Communication Studies, Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies, and American Studies (Especially Angie Looney, Kembrew McLeod, Eric Vázquez, Naomi Greyser, & Hallie Abelman); State Historical Society of Iowa (especially Hang Nguyen, Allison Johnson, and Anu Tiwari); V Fixmer-Oraiz; Kim Painter; Rebecca Dewing, Johnson County Historical Society; Claire Fox; Teresa Mangum; Jennifer New; Phaedra C. Pezzullo; Constance Gordon; and Jesse Waggoner.
Funding
Research, writing, & production benefited from generous support: National Communication Association’s Karl R. Wallace Memorial Award; The University of Iowa (UI) OVPR Arts and Humanities Initiative Standard Grant; UI Provost Investment in Strategic Priorities; UI College of Liberal Arts DSHB Humanities Scholar; UI CLAS, Summer Humanities Award.
Audience Participation
