“The most important thing to me as a Historian is to inspire others to love history and scholarship. The stories of local history are the stories of our nation. History is grounded in a struggle for the United States to make good on its constitutional promises of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, democracy, and the right to rebellion. It is important to ensure access to primary documents that can help illuminate our town in a new way. Engaging people in doing history with primary sources helps to tell inclusive stories and leads to civic engagement.
My love and commitment to this town is long and deep. As a community member for 45 years, a teacher for 40 years, Town Historian for 21 years, I have decided to donate my life’s work, including my research on African Americans and the West Division to the History Center at the Noah Webster House. I am honored to have my name associated with these archives. My hope and desire is that these materials can be used in both print and digital form by students, teachers and community members.
I can envision a time when teachers come to the archives for professional development, when students come to the archives to do original research and when community members can investigate the history of their town. I hope a future Town Historian will use my notes, articles and research much like I used Nelson Burr’s and Lammy Hathaway’s to understand the community and the world beyond.
Sonja Santelises, a Baltimore educator, explains local history this way: ‘Once you’re grounded and validated in the power of your own story, that’s what makes you want to go and learn about other people.’
I hope entrusting my research and articles to the West Hartford History Center will be a catalyst for not only original research but also will spark inquiry in local history and help to make connections to the wider world and shift our gaze to always keep local history at the forefront of the American story.”
