Several students from the Kent State Salem Campus recently stepped out of the classroom and back into time, learning how people and events from the Salem area helped shaped history around the world.
Dr. E. Sue Wamsley, assistant professor of history, arranged a field trip to the Salem Museum and Historical Society for students in her History of the United States: Modern America and History of the United States: Early America classes.
Tour guides explained the early history of the Salem area and, using items displayed throughout the various rooms, described what it was like to live and work in the area for individuals from all walks of life. The artifacts helped students understand the differences between social classes, genders and employment opportunities.
The museum is filled with artifacts that capture this history of local schools, entertainment, churches, buildings, businesses and events such as women’s suffrage, military conflicts, slavery and the Underground Railroad.
Following the tour, each student was required to write an essay about a single object that he or she found interesting, describing its purpose and its historical significance. While it seems like a simple assignment, the challenge was best described by one student who commented: “There are so many cool things here. How do I pick just one?”
The museum is located at 208 S. Broadway Ave. and is open to the public. For information about hours of operation, call 330-337-8514 or visit the website at http://www.salemhistoricalsociety.org/.