Project proposal for Fall 2023 Introduction to Public History Seminar.
Abstract:
My proposal is the development of an in-person exhibit in Brockport detailing the life of Fannie Barrier Williams as well as how her life and work overlapped with the emergence of sociology as a discipline, and the overarching theme of intersectionality present within her work and other notable figures, such as W. E. B. DuBois. This exhibit would take an in-depth look at the experiences of women at this time, with specific regard to Black women in the workplace, and the intersection of race, class, and gender. The purpose of this project is to emphasize an underrepresented and under-researched group of individuals and period of time.
Proposal:
The goal of my project is to make Fannie Barrier Williams a more well-known figure. She is somewhat of a local figurehead in Brockport but outside of that, not many people know who she is. It is important to highlight the work she did in the community as well as throughout the country. Through this exploration of her life, the project aims to connect to the development of sociology and the concept of intersectionality. I would like my project to answer the question of what life was like for working-class Black women in the mid to late 1800s.
The overarching argument of this project is that while Fannie Barrier Williams should be celebrated, her writings and speeches offer a limited view into life at this time. She was considered to be an elite member of society and had connections with other prolific individuals of this time. She did not face many of the struggles that she wrote about. She did not struggle to find work as her activism in the community and beyond positioned her to not only be an influential voice but her presence was sought after. One notable example of this is her speech
given at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Similarly, Williams did not experience significant racism until leaving the Brockport area and moving south. She was a fairer-skinned individual which also gave her a sense of privilege not experienced by many of the women she wrote about and for.
In her essay ‘The Problem of Employment for Negro Women’ she discusses how Black women should take pride in their work, which at the time most consisted of being a domestic worker. This is the equivalent of a maid or housekeeper. Williams mentions how women should be proud of the work they’re doing but also says that working as a domestic is ‘neither a trade nor a profession; it is without discipline or organization..” Highlighting this aspect of her hypocrisy is important because this group of people, working-class Black women of the late 1800s/1900s, were largely ignored. I want this exhibit to be about her because I do think she is important, but also to emphasize the limited perspective she offered based on her life experiences.
Beginning in the 1890s, sociology began to emerge as an area of study and intellectuals began paying attention to the individual aspects of people’s lives and how they factor into one’s everyday experience. At the time, the big categories that were given the most thought were race, class, and gender. In more recent times, sexuality, gender identity, nationality, and ability, have been added to this list. This idea laid the groundwork for what we now know as intersectionality. Intersectionality is the idea that experiences are individualized based on social and political identities and certain privileges and/or prejudices are endured. For example, a Black, upper-class, cis-gender man will have a very different life experience than a Black, lower-class, gay man. Even though they are both Black and men, the two categories that set them apart will not only change how they look at and interact with the world but also how the world looks at and interacts with them.
This exhibit would require a space somewhere in Brockport. A permanent fixture would make the most sense, as Fannie Barrier Williams was born and raised here. She also returned to Brockport in 1926 and died here in 1944. I picture the exhibit as an expansive timeline on the walls, tracing the course of her life and work, but highlighting the many historical events that occurred concurrently, such as the end of the Civil War or the Reconstruction Era. It would be beneficial to add an immersive aspect to the exhibit if a recording of one of her speeches played while one walked through the exhibit. Each point on the timeline would have its explanation associated with it and a picture or important historical document. As it is important to me that this exhibit be accessible to everyone, Braille and hearing assistance would be implemented to ensure constructive visits for all. To tie in the points mentioned in her essay it would be interesting to have a room constructed that resembles a servant’s quarters of this time. Many women lived with the families they worked for. It would also be valuable to include other pieces of work such as supplies used to clean or items from other jobs such as typewriters or teaching materials. The dress or uniform that a woman wore at this time may also be of interest to those attending the exhibit.
The intended audience for this project is anyone. It is important for those of us living in this area because Fannie Barrier Williams is connected to Brockport, but it should also be important to everyone because she was a trailblazer of her time. She made great strides toward racial acceptance in the country and was one of the most influential people of color at the time. Students and anyone interested in history would benefit from this exhibit.
Workplan:
If funded I would immediately begin my search for a space to house the exhibit. I would work to flesh out my ideas even more and connect them to secondary sources. Designing the exhibit would come next. It would be important to me that the design is cohesive and comprehensive. I want it to make sense and for anyone to be able to understand. To do this I would establish a board.
The board would consist of museum professionals who have experience and know what they’re doing, but also community members to provide feedback and ideas to improve the exhibit’s overall experience. It would also be of the utmost importance that I include many voices of people of color, specifically women, in this project. While I am a woman, I have a limited view of Fannie Barrier Williams’s experiences and other biases that restrict my understanding because I am white. I would not want my understanding of her work or anything else to be misconstrued or misrepresented in any way.
The budget for something of this caliber would run in the $300,000-$500,000 range. This seems like a lot but I have a feeling the money would go much quicker than originally planned. This is my estimate because paying for a space, either renting or buying it outright would eat up a large portion of the funds. Additionally, I would never expect board members or anyone else to work on a project without pay. Depending on how many staff members were brought on could increase the cost of the exhibit exponentially. The design of the exhibit and general maintenance would also be a considerable amount, but some of those fees would be one-time or as needed, such as paint and refurbishing the floors of a space.
Issues and Concerns:
I would like to further my understanding and connection of secondary sources to my proposal and exhibit as a whole. I worry that if I were actually to follow through with this exhibit, the timeline would get overfilled too quickly. There is so much important history from this time and narrowing it down to what is important could pose a struggle. I also worry that the community would not be interested in the exhibit and drumming up attendees would be difficult.
